The Cyprus Sports Association (KOA) urgently convened on Saturday to discuss the Francis Uzoho case after new information surfaced, and it decided to revoke the health card of Anorthosis’ Nigerian international Francis Uzoho.
The announcement said: ‘The Board of Directors of the Cyprus Sports Organisation, exercising its powers through the law, decided today Saturday 9.02.19, at its extraordinary session, by a majority vote, the annulment of the medical card of the footballer from Anorthosis Famagusta, Francis Odinaka Uzoho, on the recommendation of the medical council (ASYA)of the organisation.’
The Cyprus Football Association (CFA) will adjudicate on the matter on Monday.
If the CFA judge rules in favour of Apollon the Famagusta team will be docked 6 points for using an ineligible player and will also lose the three points for winning the game.
Nigerian national Francis Uzoho was acquired by the Famagusta side on transfer deadline day, and was on the starting line-up for the Saturday game against Apollon, which Anorthosis won, 1-0.
Apollon’s objection rests on whether the Nigerian goalkeeper had a valid health card, a requirement for any footballer to be allowed to compete in a football game.
The health card is the responsibility of the Cyprus Sports Organisation (KOA) and is issued following a review of the player’s medical records. The results of a physical must also be submitted but it is not mandatory for that procedure to take place in Cyprus.
In a statement on Tuesday, Apollon questioned how a player who arrived in Cyprus on Friday afternoon, shortly before 4pm, could have had his health card issued about an hour before KOA’s offices closed on Friday at 2.30pm.