Ecuador will participate in the 2022 World Cup after FIFA rejected an appeal in the case of Ecuadorean player Byron Castillo, whom Chile had claimed was ineligible to compete during the qualifications.
The Chilean Football Association (ANFP) had challenged FIFA’s June 10 decision to deny their claim that Castillo was actually born in General Villamil Playas, Ecuador in 1998, not Tumaco, Colombia, as claimed on his official documentation.
“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,” 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.”
Chile appealed the ruling on July 1 and recently pleaded with FIFA to expedite the procedure before they were scheduled for a hearing on Thursday.
Castillo participated in eight of Ecuador’s 18 World Cup qualifying contests. Ecuador has refuted claims that the player was ineligible.
14 of Ecuador’s 26 points came from games Castillo played. Losing the games in which Castillo played would have prevented them from attending the tournament in Qatar.
Along with the Netherlands, Senegal, and hosts Qatar, Ecuador is a member of Group A. On November 20, Ecuador and Qatar will play to begin the World Cup.