| Nigerian national Francis Uzoho |
Cyprus Authorities will be pressing charges against a doctor and a married couple in connection with forgery relating to the health card of Francis Uzoho, a first division footballer who had taken part in a game in February without being eligible prompting the punishment of his team, police said on Wednesday.
Famagusta side Anorthosis was docked nine points after it fielded Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho in a game against Apollonas, which Anorthosis won 1-0.
Following the game on February 2, Apollonas disputed his eligibility and even reported possible forgery to the police.
The Limassol side said he had only arrived in Cyprus around 4pm on the afternoon before the game, and questioned how he could have had his health card issued about an hour after the sports organisation’s (KOA) offices closed for the day at 2.30pm.
KOA cancelled the medical card on February 9, as reports suggested Uzoho had told police he was on the plane on his way to Cyprus when the card was issued.
During the investigation, police arrested Anorthosis’ doctor, 43, a 41-year-old woman who works for KOA and her husband, 46.
The three face charges relating to forgery, circulation of a forged document, conspiracy to defraud, and perverting the course of justice.
The doctor has since resigned his post at Anorthosis.