Decision on the eligibility of Papa Massa Mbaye Fall for Guinea Bissau

The Organising Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations ruled on Monday, 22 August 2016 on a protest by Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) on the eligibility of Papa Massa Mbaye Fall for Guinea Bissau by concluding that Article 7 (c) of the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes has been fulfilled.

The FAZ protested the eligibility of Mbaye Fall in their AFCON 2017 Group E Day 5 qualifier between Guinea Bissau and Zambia played on Saturday, 4 June 2016 in Bissau which the former won 3-2.

According to FAZ, the player presented a brand new passport without any stamp indicating date of entry to Guinea Bissau and has previously played for the Senegal national team since 6 May 2014, which contravenes Articles 5 to 8 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes, hence praying on the committee to award them the three points since Guinea Bissau fielded an “illegal player”.

However, investigations by CAF revealed that Mbaye Fall who has previously played for clubs in Spain (Ciudad Vicar – 2008/2009, Las Norias FC – 2009/2010 & A.D. Polideportivo Aquadulce Club – 2014/2015) and Germany (Union Meppen – 2013/2014) never played with the Senegal national team nor was he registered with the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) as evidence by a letter from the latter on 10 June 2016.

On the other hand, the Guinea Bissau Football Federation provided CAF with documents for the player which included: His birth certificate, his local ID, his current Passport, his …

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