PARIS (AFP) - Ecuador will play at the 2022 World Cup after FIFA dismissed an appeal in the case of Ecuadorean player Byron Castillo whom Chile claimed was ineligible for the qualifiers, world soccer’s governing body said on Friday.
Chile had appealed FIFA’s June 10 decision to dismiss their complaint that Castillo was born in Tumaco, Colombia in 1995 and not in the Ecuadorean city of General Villamil Playas in 1998, as stated on his official documents.
“Having analyzed 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 (Ecuadorean Football Association),” FIFA said in a statement.
“Amongst other considerations, it deemed that on the basis of the documents presented, the player was to be considered as holding permanent Ecuadorean nationality in accordance with... FIFA Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes.”
The Chilean Football Federation confirmed it would appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“This is a dark day for football and for the credibility of the system... Of course, we will refer this to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” Jorge Yunge, general secretary of the Chilean Football Federation, said.