Former Birmingham City star Emilio Nsue has been banned for six months after breaking the rules for 11 years

Emilio Nsue has been banned from playing international matches for Equatorial Guinea for six months after FIFA ruled he was never eligible to play for the African nation.

The former Birmingham City defender stunned the football world in January by scoring five goals at the Africa Cup of Nations to finish as the tournament’s top scorer. However, FIFA says Nsue has broken the rules playing for Equatorial Guinea ever since he made his debut in 2013.

Nsue represented Spain competitively at youth level, making 26 appearances from under-16 to under-21 level, before deciding to change his beliefs in 2013. FIFA never granted Nsue permission to change association.

When Nsue won his first two caps and was found ineligible, Equatorial Guinea dropped two 2014 World Cup qualifiers as 3–0 defeats. FIFA confirmed on Monday that Equatorial Guinea will be stripped of their two 2026 World Cup qualifying wins against Namibia and Liberia, both of which were decided by Nsue’s goals.

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Nsue, 34, has scored 22 times in 43 caps for Equatorial Guinea but will now be suspended for the remainder of 2024. The full-back striker now represents Spanish third-tier side Intercity.

Nsue joined the Blues from Middlesbrough in January 2017 when Gianfranco Zola was manager. He was sold to Cypriot club APOEL 12 months later and has since played in Bosnia and Spain, the country of his birth. He has the right to appeal through FIFA and possibly CAS.