FIFA Faces Fresh Eligibility Controversy Over DR Congo Goalkeeper

FIFA is facing fresh questions over its handling of player eligibility after reports claimed its lawyers had identified DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi as potentially ineligible to play but no action was taken.

According to reports by The New York Times and Le Monde, FIFA lawyers prepared a list of possible sanctions in March, including a potential ban for Mpasi and the disqualification of DR Congo from their intercontinental World Cup play-off against Jamaica later that month.

However, the reports said no disciplinary action was ultimately taken.

Mpasi subsequently represented DR Congo at the World Cup in North America and started in the Leopards’ 2-1 defeat by England in the last 32.

The revelations have placed FIFA president Gianni Infantino under renewed scrutiny over the governing body’s handling of World Cup disciplinary and eligibility matters.

FIFA has been approached for comment on the reports concerning Mpasi and DR Congo, while the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has also been contacted.

CONCACAF, which represents Jamaica, said it regarded player eligibility as a serious matter and expected regulations to be applied consistently.

“CONCACAF takes player eligibility matters very seriously and expects the applicable regulations and procedures to be applied consistently and fairly in all competitions,” the confederation said.

It added that any concerns over eligibility that could affect the integrity of a competition or the interests of a member association should be thoroughly reviewed through FIFA’s established governance and disciplinary procedures.

The latest controversy comes amid wider scrutiny of FIFA following its handling of United States striker Folarin Balogun’s disciplinary case.

Balogun was sent off and initially handed a one-match suspension, but FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the ban, allowing him to feature in the United States’ last-16 match against Belgium.

US President Donald Trump later said he had personally contacted Infantino over the sanction, prompting questions about possible political influence.

FIFA has denied any intervention by Infantino and maintained that its disciplinary committee operates independently.

Meanwhile, the Norwegian Football Federation has reportedly lodged complaints with FIFA’s Ethics Committee and its Governance, Audit and Compliance Committee.

The complaints reportedly concern the Balogun case, a proposed private investment arrangement involving a commercial vehicle for FIFA tournaments, including the men’s World Cup, and FIFA’s decision last year to award its Peace Prize to Trump.

The latest reports are likely to intensify calls for FIFA to clarify how Mpasi’s eligibility was assessed and why no action was taken despite the alleged legal advice.