FIFA has launched disciplinary proceedings over Ecuador for fielding ineligible player.© AFP
FIFA has launched disciplinary proceedings after Ecuador were alleged to have fielded an ineligible player during their successful qualifying campaign for the Qatar World Cup. Chile, who failed to reach the showpiece in Qatar later this year, lodged a complaint with football’s world governing body alleging that full-back Byron Castillo was not Ecuadorian and had been born in Colombia. The football federation of Chile alleged “use of a fake birth certificate, false declaration of age and false nationality”.
The 23-year-old Castillo played in eight qualifiers, including both of Ecuador’s matches against Chile — a 0-0 draw in Quito in September 2021 a 2-0 victory for Ecuador in Santiago two months later.
If FIFA rule against Ecuador, those matches could be forfeited allowing Chile to leapfrog into the final qualification place for Qatar 2022.
Chile finished seventh in the South American World Cup qualification table, seven points behind Ecuador in the fourth and final automatic berth for Qatar.
Chile were five points behind fifth-placed Peru, who now face an intercontinental playoff against either Australia or the UAE to reach the finals.
“FIFA has decided to open disciplinary proceedings in relation to the potential ineligibility of Byron David Castillo Segura,” football’s governing body said in a statement.
Promoted
Ecuador’s FA said that Castillo was “duly registered with the competent legal authority” and had “all valid national documents”.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Topics mentioned in this article
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
