FIFA opened a disciplinary case on, May 11, looking into whether Ecuador fielded an unqualified player during World Cup qualifying, a case that could see the nation getting eliminated of this year’s championship in Qatar.
FIFA opened a disciplinary case following Chile filed an official complaint claiming that Byron Castillo is Colombian and should not have been permitted to represent Ecuador in 8 qualifying matches.
Ecuador now risks having to sanction those games, counting 1 victory and a draw versus Chile.
Ecuador ended 4th in South American qualifying to secure the continent’s last automatic berth for the colossal. It was drawn into a group with Qatar, the Netherlands and Senegal.
Chile concluded 7th, however could leap into the qualifying places if it was given 6 points from its matches facing Ecuador, apace with the better goal difference.
Castillo did not take participate in matches versus fifth-place Peru or sixth-place Colombia.
Whatever of the result, Peru could yet qualify for the World Cup as it is all set to play an intercontinental playoff match facing United Arab Emirates or Australia on 13th of June in Doha.
FIFA stated it has asked the Peruvian soccer association to submit its position on the Castillo case as well.
The FIFA investigation will have a look at the ‘allegations concerning the possible falsification of documents granting Ecuadorian nationality to the player,’ soccer’s governing body stated.
Ecuador’s soccer federation previously refused Chile’s claims and asserted that Castillo is legally an Ecuadorian citizen.
