EMILIO Nsue has been handed a six-month international ban by FIFA after it was revealed the former Middlesbrough full-back was never eligible to represent Equatorial Guinea.

Nsue has played more than 40 times for Equatorial Guinea and was the top scorer at the African Cup of Nations at the start of this year, but it's now emerged that he never received official approval to represent the country.

Nsue played for Spain in various age groups, including at an Under-21 European Championships, before making his Equatorial Guinea debut in 2013. But FIFA never officially sanctioned the switch.

Back in 2013, FIFA ordered Equatorial Guinea to default two 2014 World Cup qualifying games because of Nsue's ineligibility.

But the former Boro and Birmingham man still went on to play in a "substantial number of matches" while, say FIFA, "undoubtedly knowing that he was ineligible".

It's not clear why Nsue or Equatorial Guinea weren't punished by FIFA after the player's involvement in qualifying matches for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup.

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Nsue's high-profile involvement in the most recent Arican Cup of Nations, in which he starred, is thought to have triggered the latest FIFA investigation. The probe started in March and Nsue was handed a six-day deadline to respond, but FIFA said "no position was received from the respondent".

As well as Nsue's six-month ban, FIFA have stripped Equatorial Guinea of their World Cup 2026 qualifying wins against Nimibia and Liberia. Nsue scored in both.

Nsue and Equatorial Guinea can appeal against the sanctions to FIFA and later, if required, the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Nsue, who now plays his club football in Spain, made 80 appearances for Boro after joining in 2014.