APA-Nouakchott (Mauritania) – The Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (FFRIM) will “use all legal means to defend its rights” after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee ruled that the Mauritanian left-back was “ineligible” to play the double confrontation with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
There is now just one day to go before the end of qualifying for the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Cote d’Ivoire. Fourteen teams, including the host nation, have already booked their places at the continental showpiece.
In Group I, however, the suspense will only end when the final matches are played in September. Mauritania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Sudan are all within touching distance.
At the end of Matchday 5, which was played in June, Mourabitounes had 8 points, compared to 7 for the Leopards and Panthers and 6 for the Nile Crocodiles. However, a decision by CAF’s disciplinary committee on Tuesday has changed the ranking.
It is now as follows 1 Democratic Republic of Congo – 9 points, 2 Mauritania – 7 points, 3 Gabon – 7 points, 4 Sudan – 6 points. The Mourabitounes have in fact lost the point they gained from the double-header with the Leopards. Defender Khadim Diaw has been declared “ineligible” CAF’s disciplinary committee, which ruled that the Horoya Athletic Club (Guinea) member “did not fulfil all the conditions required to take part in the matches on days 3 and 4 of the qualifying campaign.”
“In this regard, the Disciplinary Committee declares the two matches with the Democratic Republic of Congo to be forfeited by a 3-0 score, in accordance with article 105 of the Disciplinary Code,” read the press release from the African football governing body. Only one point was at stake, as the Leopards won the first leg 3-1 before drawing 1-1 a few days later.
The sanction imposed on Mauritania by CAF is a fine of $10,000 to be paid “within 60 days of the notification of this decision.” In a statement received by APA, Mauritania’s FA (FFRIM) confirmed on Wednesday that it had received the decision of the CAF Disciplinary Committee following a complaint from the Congolese Federation of Association Football (FECOFA).
However, the FFRIM “expresses its total incomprehension, not only at the form of the complaint lodged by the Congolese side, but above all at the decision taken by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) – the highest authority in the world of football – which clears up any ambiguity on the matter by proving the Mauritanian origin of the player concerned and his eligibility to represent the Mauritanian national team. It also demonstrates the FFRIM”s good faith in summoning the player in accordance with the laws and procedures in force.”
Consequently, “the FFRIM wishes to assure the Mauritanian public that it will use all legal means to defend its rights (with) tangible evidence before the competent courts.” Khadim Diaw, who trains at the Generation Foot Academy on the outskirts of Dakar, has previously played for Senegal.
ID/lb/abj/APA