Hat-trick hero declared ineligible

Equatorial Guinea midfielder Emilio Nsue, scorer of a hat-trick in the 4-3 World Cup qualifying win over Cape Verde, was ineligible to play and his side have forfeited the match, Fifa said yesterday. Cape Verde were awarded a 3-0 win from game played on 24 March, giving them an outside chance of overhauling Tunisia at the top of African Group B, Fifa said. The world soccer governing body also awarded Cape Verde a 3-0 win from the return, played last month, after Real Mallorca’s Nsue took part in that game as well when ineligible. Cape Verde had won that game 2-1.

The decision meant that Cape Verde, previously eliminated, moved within two points of Group B leaders Tunisia who they visit on 6 September in the final group match for both teams. Equatorial Guinea were also fined a total of 30 000 Swiss francs ($31 900). Fifa did not state in what way Nsue, who was born in Spain and has played for Spain in age-restricted competitions, was ineligible. — Reuters