FIFA has awarded Republic of Congo a 3-0 win by default in a 2014 World Cup qualifier because Burkina Faso fielded an ineligible player when they drew 0-0 in June, AP reported. The case involves Cameroon-born defender Herve Zengue, who did not meet the requirements to represent Burkina Faso in the match played in Ouagadougou, FIFA said on Friday. The same player was involved in controversy before the 2012 African Cup of Nations when Namibia argued that it should have taken Burkina Faso's place at the tournament. However, Namibia failed in an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport when the panel ruled that Zengue, who married a Burkinabe woman, had a valid nationality certificate issued in 2006. FIFA's disciplinary committee ruling appears to contradict that verdict. FIFA said Burkina Faso can appeal against its sanction, including a 6,000 Swiss francs ($6,550) fine, by mid-January. -- SPA
