Nigeria fined by FIFA for fielding ineligible Player in Algeria Clash

John Ogu of Nigeria

Nigeria’s senior football team has been fined by the world football governing body FIFA for allowing an ineligible player on the pitch in their final group game against Algeria, according to BBC.

Although he should be serving suspension for picking up yellow cards in two previous games, Abdullahi Shehu played the full game against Algeria.

The defender was shown a yellow card in the October game against Zambia which marked Nigeria’s qualification. He had previously picked a yellow card in a second round first leg tie against Swaziland in 2015.

The punishment does not however in any way affect Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia as they had qualified before that final game against Algeria.

The NFF was however fine US$6,000 for the oversight.

Photo Credit: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images