FIFA confirms receipt of Benin complaint over DR Congo substitutes in World Cup qualifier

FIFA has confirmed it has received an official protest from the Benin Football Federation (FBF) over its 2-0 loss to DR Congo in World Cup qualifying.

“Fifa has received a complaint from the Benin FA in relation to this matter and will review it,” football’s world governing body said in a statement.

“As per standard procedure, Fifa first needs to analyse the relevant match report reports before commenting. Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage.”

The appeal is about the fact that DR Congo made four substitutions on four separate occasions during Sunday’s qualifier.

Under current Fifa regulations for international games teams are allowed to make up to five substitutes but only during three windows in the game.

DR Congo won the tie 2-0 to progress to the African World Cup play-offs as winners of Group J instead of Benin, who had needed a draw in Kinshasa in order to advance.