Gambia misses out on Carayol

Mustapha 'Muzzy' Carayol

This blog can confirm that Mustapha Carayol will not be representing Gambia in two World Cup qualifiers against Ivory Coast and Morocco this month despite being named in the Scorpions’ squad.

Carayol, who was born in the Gambian capital, Banjul, is eligible to represent both Gambia and England and has so far refused to commit himself to either nation.

The Gambia Football Association had been keen to call up the winger for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier with Ivory Coast and the following weekend’s game in Morocco and the coaches even included Carayol’s name in a list of 16 invited players due to link up this week ahead of the double-header.

However, Middlesbrough says that due to irregularities in the notification process, Carayol will not be turning up for the Scorpions in its two matches.

There is a set notification period in which a player and his club must be informed that their services are required for international duty and on this occasion, Middlesbrough claim it was not adhered to.

Therefore, Carayol will not be heading to Gambia and there is no threat of any FIFA sanctions if Middlesbrough do not help facilitate his call-up.

“I am disappointed [that] I can’t represent my country this time but hopefully everything gets sorted quickly next time round. I look forward to making my country [The Gambia] proud,” Carayol told this blog.

He added: “I can’t wait to play in front of the fans and make my family proud but hopefully next time they sort everything quick.”

The former Bristol Rovers midfielder was very much looking forward to representing The Gambia but the wait for his Scorpions debut continues.

The Scorpions are bottom of Group C of the African qualifying section, having failed to win any of their opening three matches in the current round of qualifiers.