Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has explained why the DR Congo national football team was included among teams listed for the upcoming playoff round despite Nigeria’s ongoing protest over the qualification process, Nigeriasoccernet.com can report.
Dikko clarified on Friday in Abuja while speaking on the sidelines of a football tournament organised by the FAME Foundation to commemorate International Women's Day.
According to him, DR Congo’s inclusion in the list released by FIFA does not indicate that a final decision has been taken regarding the complaint lodged by Nigeria.
He explained that the matter remains under review within FIFA’s legal framework, where all parties are presumed innocent until a ruling is delivered.
“If you go to a court of law, they say you are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. All the processes are ongoing, and the judge has not made a decision yet,” Dikko said.
The NSC chairman added that the case has been referred to an independent adjudicating body within FIFA’s structure, which will determine whether the protest submitted by the Nigeria Football Federation has merit.
Although DR Congo has been listed among the teams expected to feature in the playoff round, Dikko stressed that the final composition of the fixtures will ultimately depend on the outcome of the legal process.
He further explained that such disputes are not handled directly by FIFA’s administrative office but by independent committees responsible for disciplinary and eligibility matters.
“It is not FIFA’s duty directly. They have independent bodies that deal with these issues, and we must wait for the final pronouncement,” he added.
Dikko also revealed that Nigeria has already filed its protest and believes it has a strong case, but emphasised that the final verdict will rest with the adjudicating panel.
He noted that until a decision is reached, the football authorities and teams involved must continue preparations for the playoff tournament while awaiting FIFA’s ruling.