JFF to seek answers from FIFA over Mpasi eligibility claims

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is preparing to formally approach football’s world governing body, FIFA, following international media allegations that it knowingly permitted DR Congo to field an ineligible player during the World Cup intercontinental playoffs in March.

After failing to automatically qualify for this summer’s World Cup, Jamaica lost the game 1-0, a result which saw them fail to grab a non-automatic spot to the global tournament.

Yesterday, The New York Times and French daily Le Monde reported that FIFA knew Congo’s goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was not eligible when he took the field against Jamaica and helped send his team to its first World Cup in 52 years.

JFF President Michael Ricketts told The Gleaner that the federation has taken note of the development and plans to act.

"I am aware. I actually spoke with a journalist from New York Times that obviously did some real good investigative work relative to this particular issue. We have taken a decision that we will probably have some discussions with FIFA, trying to ensure that this article has some substance. And then we'll take it from there. But I mean, we are very aware, and again, it just underlines how unfortunate things went for us during this World Cup campaign. But we will be making FIFA aware that we are in fact aware, and then we'll take it from there," Ricketts told The Gleaner.

Citing internal FIFA documents, both outlets say disciplinary officials drafted options, including letting Nigeria replace Congo against Jamaica.

Nigeria's football federation had previously filed an eligibility complaint against Mpasi after being eliminated by DR Congo in the African qualifiers.

They claimed then that 32-year-old Mpasi, who was born in France, had represented the French national team at the youth level and, while he has family ties to DR Congo, the Congolese Federation never officially completed the administrative process required by FIFA to legally switch his sporting allegiance.

The New York Times and Le Monde claim FIFA responded that its disciplinary officials dealt with Nigeria’s protest in March and it "was declared inadmissible by this FIFA body."

FIFA says the decision was communicated to Nigeria in early March and, with no proper appeal lodged, it "became final and binding."

It also "strongly rejects any suggestion that the FIFA President (Gianni Infantino) would interfere with these processes."

The reports are based on internal documents, and FIFA denies any interference.

Infantino, who is seeking re-election next March, attended Jamaica’s CONCACAF Nations League game against Guatemala on September 25, as part of a Caribbean tour ahead of next year’s presidential election.

- Karen Madden

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