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’s judgement is based on Nsue playing competitive matches for Spain’s youth teams before featuring for Equatorial Guinea’s senior side. FIFA’s adjudication stated that the player “apparently only acquired the Equatoguinean nationality after having played in his first international match in an official competition”.
It has now been detailed by FIFA how, in 2013, Equatorial Guinea requested Nsue’s release from the Spanish FA but did not make the request through FIFA.
Nsue is Equatorial Guinea’s record international goalscorer, with 22 goals in 43 appearances. FIFA described this volume of matches as “substantial” and the period of time as “significant”.
World Cup qualification matches fall under FIFA’s jurisdiction, while AFCON is governed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). FIFA’s judgements were only applicable to matches in active and ongoing competitions.