Ecuador could be EXCLUDED from the World Cup ahead of the tournament’s opening match against Qatar…as Chile and Peru bosses scoff at FIFA’s decision that defender Byron Castillo was eligible to play in eight ties
- Ecuador could be expelled from the World Cup, which is due to start in November
- FIFA ruled for the first time that defender Byron Castillo was eligible to play in eight ties
- But the Chilean and Peruvian federations have since launched appeals to the TAS
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport expects to make its decision before November 10
- Ecuador could be expelled just 10 days before facing Qatar in the opening match
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates
By David Kent for the Daily Mail
Published: | Updated:
Ecuador could be kicked out of the World Cup just 10 days before it faces Qatar in the tournament’s opening match.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has registered appeals by the Chilean and Peruvian federations against a FIFA ruling last month that Ecuadorian defender Byron Castillo was eligible to play in the eight qualifying matches for which he was selected.
CAS did not give a timetable for appointing judges and organizing a hearing, although both appealing parties have asked for a decision by November 10.
Ecuador could be expelled from the Qatar World Cup just 10 days before the tournament
Federations of Chile and Peru question the eligibility of Ecuadorian defender Byron Castillo
Chilean officials claim to have documents proving that Castillo is Colombian and that Ecuador should lose all eight games he played as 3-0 losses.
That legal argument was dismissed by FIFA’s disciplinary committee in June and upheld by FIFA’s appeal judges two weeks ago.
Ecuador finished fourth in the South American qualifying group in March and claimed a direct entry to the World Cup.
They have appealed FIFA’s decision that the defender was eligible to participate in eight ties.
Days later he was drawn into Group A with Qatar, the Netherlands and Senegal.
If qualifying games are lost, the revised point totals would lift Chile to fourth place from seventh.
Peru, meanwhile, was fifth and asked the TAS that the Ecuadorian advance to the final as the next best placed South American team in the current standings.
Peru lost a playoff against Australia.
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