The Sudan Football Association has officially lodged a complaint with FIFA against Senegal, alleging that Assane Diao was ineligible to feature in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
Despite ongoing civil unrest, Sudan has remained resilient in their qualification campaign, securing a commendable goalless draw against Senegal on neutral ground.
However, their latest action off the pitch could significantly impact the qualification race.
FIFA Complaint Over Assane Diao
Sudan’s FA claims that Diao, who came on as a substitute in the 79th minute to replace Ismaila Sarr, has not met FIFA’s eligibility requirements for a nationality switch.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
The 18-year-old forward previously represented Spain’s U-21 team in official UEFA competitions, making him subject to FIFA’s three-year waiting period before switching national teams.
FIFA cleared Diao to play for Senegal as shown in thier international clearance portal. ( Photo by FIFA)
According to FIFA regulations, a player who has featured in official youth-level matches must observe a mandatory waiting period before playing for a new nation. Sudan insists that Diao’s participation violates this rule, prompting them to seek FIFA intervention.
Potential Consequences for Senegal
If FIFA upholds Sudan’s complaint, Senegal could face sanctions, which might include a forfeit of the match and the awarding of three points to Sudan.
Diao has scored 5 league goals since joining Como from Real Betis. ( Photo Credit Getty Images)
This decision could shake up the standings and alter the qualification dynamics.
Senegal, already dealing with key absences such as Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, and Habib Diarra, struggled to break Sudan’s defensive structure.
READ MORE:Rwanda FA apologizes to fans after ticketing chaos and Nigeria defeat
Sadio Mané lead the charge as the Teranga Lions controlled possession but failed to convert opportunities, highlighting their attacking difficulties in the absence of their regular starters.
Despite political instability affecting the nation, Sudan has been one of the surprise performers in the African qualifiers.
Their disciplined display against the 2021 AFCON champions underscored their defensive solidity and determination to reach the global stage.
