Gianni Infantino faces fresh World Cup eligibility scandal over goalkeeper who played against England

Gianni Infantino is facing fresh questions following reports that Fifa lawyers knew in March that DR Congo’s goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was allegedly ineligible.

The lawyers drew up a list of possible sanctions in March including banning Mpasi and disqualifying DR Congo from the intercontinental play-off against Jamaica later that month, according to reports in The New York Times and Le Monde.

But the two outlets reported that no action was taken.

Mpasi went on to represent DR Congo at the finals in North America, and played in his side's 2-1 defeat by England in the last 32.

The reports have put Infantino under further scrutiny over a World Cup disciplinary matter.

They follow the Folarin Balogun case and the Swiss official’s handling of a plan for private investment in a commercial vehicle that would run Fifa’s tournaments, including the men’s and women’s World Cups.

Balogun, a United States striker, was sent off and given a one-match ban, which FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended.

That suspension allowed him to feature in the last-16 match against Belgium.

US President Donald Trump later admitted he had personally called Infantino to review the sanction.

His intervention raised concerns around political interference within Fifa.

Fifa has denied there was any intervention by Infantino in that case and said its disciplinary committee is wholly independent.

Fifa has been approached for comment on the reports concerning Mpasi and DR Congo.

The confederation representing Jamaica, DR Congo’s opponents in the intercontinental play-off, said: “CONCACAF takes player eligibility matters very seriously and expects the applicable regulations and procedures to be applied consistently and fairly in all competitions.

“Any concerns regarding player eligibility, particularly those that may affect the integrity of a competition or the interests of one of our member associations, should be thoroughly reviewed and addressed through FIFA’s appropriate governance and disciplinary bodies, in accordance with established regulations and due process.”

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has also been approached for comment.

The Norwegian federation, meanwhile, has filed complaints with FIFA’s ethics committee and its governance, audit and compliance committee.

Its complaints cover the Balogun case, the private investor plan and the awarding of the Fifa Peace Prize last year to President Trump.