AFCON Top Scorer Emilio Nsue Banned for Six Months

FIFA has ruled that Emilio Nsue, the top scorer of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), was ineligible to represent Equatorial Guinea throughout his international career.

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The decision is based on Nsue’s prior participation in competitive matches for Spain’s youth teams before he began playing for Equatorial Guinea’s senior side without proper authorization for a change of association.

In 2013, FIFA had already informed the Equatoguinean Football Federation (Feguifut) that Nsue appeared to have acquired Equatoguinean nationality after his debut for the nation, leading to Equatorial Guinea forfeiting two 2014 World Cup qualifiers as 3-0 defeats.

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Nsue, who has earned over 40 caps and scored 23 goals for Equatorial Guinea, including five goals at the 2024 AFCON, is currently facing a six-month international ban. FIFA’s disciplinary committee stated that their action pertains only to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to their ongoing nature.

As a result, Equatorial Guinea will forfeit their World Cup 2026 qualifying victories over Namibia and Liberia, with both matches originally ending 1-0 in Equatorial Guinea’s favor with Nsue scoring the winning goals.

Nsue, who has played for clubs such as Mallorca, Middlesbrough, and Birmingham City, has the right to appeal the decision through FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if necessary. The Equatoguinean Football Federation has also been fined 150,000 Swiss francs (£131,000).

Source Graphic Online

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