FIFA has ruled that Equatorial Guinea captain Emilio Nsue was never eligible to represent the African nation throughout his 11-year international career.
Nsue won the Golden Boot as top goalscorer at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year with five goals in four appearances.
In December 2013, FIFA ruled that Nsue was not eligible to play for Equatorial Guinea — following several appearances for Spain’s youth teams — but he continued to represent them regardless. FIFA opened a new investigation into Nsue’s eligibility in March with the 34-year-old given a six-day deadline to respond, but world football’s governing body said no response arrived.
FIFA published its judgement in a 15-page ruling on Monday, with Equatorial Guinea stripped of their World Cup 2026 qualification victories against Namibia and Liberia — which they both won 1-0 thanks to Nsue goals — with their opponents awarded a three-goal victory.
FIFA has ruled that former Nsue has been banned from all international football for six months, while the Equatoguinean federation (Feguifut) was fined 150,000 Swiss francs ($164,000, £129,000).
