FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Ecuadors World Cup

FIFA opened a disciplinary proceedings for the qualification of Ecuador for the Football World Cup in Qatar in the course of the Protest of the Chilean Association. The reason for this is a "possible lack of entitlement to play" by Ecuador's defender Byron Castillo. Among other things, the possible falsification of documents is a topic in the procedure.

Chile Association had submitted a complaint to the FIFA disciplinary commission because Ecuador is said to have used a player not entitled to play in the South America qualification with Castillo. The multi -page application to FIFA, about which the British Times had reported last week, is said to contain a different birth certificate. From this it should indicate that Castillo was born three years earlier than actually known in Colombia.

was used in eight games

Chile only took seventh place in the qualification, but hopes for the cancellation of all game results in which Castillo has participated in fourth place. Ecuador had won this and thus qualified for the World Cup (November 21 to December 18). Between the two nations there are still Peru, which still plays a World Cup ticket in the intercontinental play-offs, and Colombia. Castillo was not used against both teams. Castillo was used in eight qualifications - but only after he was issued an official Ecuadorian birth certificate in 2021.

The FIFA asked the Ecuadorian association and Peru's football association in connection with the allegations to comment. "Further information will follow at a later date," said the World Association.