ZURICH (AP) — FIFA awarded Niger a 3-0 forfeit victory over Gabon in a World Cup qualifier because of the use of an ineligible player.
The game was played to a 0-0 draw on June 3 at Niamey, Niger. FIFA ruled midfielder Charly Moussono was ineligible for Gabon because he represented Cameroon at the 2006 Beach Soccer World Cup in Brazil.
FIFA said Tuesday Gabon failed to file a proper appeal against a disciplinary committee decision.
Republic of Congo (1-0-1) leads Groups E with four points, followed by Gabon and Niger (each 1-1) with three apiece and Burkina Faso (0-1-1) with one.
However, Moussono also played four matches for Gabon as the co-hosts reached this year’s African Cup of Nations quarterfinals. The Confederation of African Football has not overturned those results.
