Moses and Success face EPL suspension

LONDON: Victor Moses (pic) and Isaac Success both face suspension from next week’s English Premier League games for reportedly refusing international call-ups with Nigeria.

The Chelsea and Watford wingers both pulled out of the Super Eagles’ squad with injury but the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) are suspicious.

“We know the two players had good games and there was no sign of injury on the duo during or after the game,” an NFF source told completesportsnigeria.com.

“It came as a surprise to hear later that Moses was injured and that he would not be available for the game and Success finished his team’s game before claiming injury.”

“Honestly, they won’t go unpunished if our investigation turns out as we are suspecting,” added the source.

“In fact, we are considering writing a protest to FIFA if we find out that they connived with their respective clubs to feign injuries and stay away from the matches.”

FIFA rules are very clear that if players refuse international call-ups without good cause they will face suspension from club matches.

“A player who has been called up by his association for one of its representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant association, not entitled to play for the club during the period for which he has been released or should have been released.

“This restriction on playing for the club shall, moreover, be prolonged by five days in the event that the player, for whatsoever reason, did not wish to or was unable to comply with the call-up,” state the regulations.

Bizarrely, NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire publicly said Success was “finding it difficult to walk” after scoring in Watford’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.

But the NFF changed their tune later in the week, saying that the Watford youngster decided not to travel when he was asked to pay for a plane ticket, which would be claimed back on expenses.

“The boy asked about his flight ticket to Abuja and when he was told to buy it and he will get a refund on arrival, he was disgusted and preferred to stay away,” an NFF official told africanfootball.com.

The NFF have also suggested they could refuse to call up the two players in future if their investigation finds they did feign injury to get out of the match against Zambia. — The Sun, London