By Amosu Adeboye, LAGOS
Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has been handed a one-match ban and fined 1,000 euros by the Cyprus Football Association following complaint by Apollon Limassol.
Uzoho, 20, linked up with Cypriot club, Anorthosis Famagusta on a six-month loan deal on the final day of the winter transfer window from Spanish side, Deportivo La Coruna.
He made his debut two days later in Anorthosis Famagusta’s 1-0 win against Apollon Limassol.
Limassol later filed a protest with Cyprus Football Association claiming Uzoho was ineligible to feature in the game.
They questioned the validity of the mandatory medical certificate submitted by Anorthosis on behalf of the player as they insisted Uzoho arrived Cyprus hours after the KOA office had shut down on February 1.
Uzoho reportedly informed the Police that the medical certificate was prepared for him while he was in flight en route Cyprus – which by implication suggests that he did not undergo necessary medical tests before the issuance.
According to a report in miamiherald.com, the Cyprus Football Association has ruled that Uzoho’s certificate is invalid and Anorthosis consequently forfeits the win over Apollon as they are further deducted six points.
Uzoho who was omitted from Anorthosis’ squad for the last two league games against Nea Salamis and AC Omonia will also this weekend’s clash against Ermis as result of the suspension.
A police investigation is currently underway. Last week, a Cyprus court ordered a 42-year-old man to be held in police custody for three days, but he was released without investigators seeking to extend his detention.
