FIFA has rejected Chile’s appeal regarding the eligibility of Ecuador’s Byron Castillo and the country’s participation at the Qatar 2022 World Cup in November and December.
The Chileans want Ecuador thrown out of the global tournament, and for them to be included instead.
Chile, joined by Peru, claimed Castillo is Colombian and should not have played in the South American qualifiers for the World Cup.
However, FIFA’s Appeal Committee ruled that was eligible and Ecuador would retain their spot.
“The FIFA Appeal Committee has rendered its decision on the appeals lodged by the Chilean Football Association (FFCH) and the Peruvian Football Association (FPF) against the decision issued by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on the potential ineligibility of the player Byron David Castillo Segura with regard to his participation in eight qualifying matches of the national team of the Ecuadorian Football Association (FEF) in the preliminary competition of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” FIFA said in an official statement today.
“Having analysed the submissions of all parties and after a hearing had been conducted, the Appeal Committee confirmed the decision of the Disciplinary Committee to close the proceedings initiated against the FEF.
“Amongst other considerations, it deemed that on the basis of the documents presented, the player was to be considered as holding permanent Ecuadorian nationality in accordance with art. 5 par. 1 of the FIFA Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes.
“The findings of the decision passed by the Appeal Committee were notified to the parties concerned today. The present decision remains subject to an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
Ecuador finished ahead of Chile in South American qualifying and have been placed in Group A along with Senegal, The Netherlands and hosts Qatar.
Chile’s last resort is the Court of Arbitration for Sport whose decision would be considered final.
