Ecuador face ban from FIFA ahead of 2022 World Cup Finals

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By Martin Graham | 11th Jun 2022

Ecuador could face expulsion from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar according to multiple reports. The South American nation has been accused of fielding an ineligible player in their quest to qualify during the qualification series.

Multiple sources have claimed that Byron Castillo forged his documents to show that he was born in Ecuador in 1998 when in fact he was born in Colombia in 1998. Though it is yet to be known if the player did the falsification himself or if he was backed by the Ecuadorian Football Association, the punishment is set to be severe if the claims are proven.

Moreover, some countries have submitted their claim on the potentially vacant slot when it is officially announced. One of which is Chile, the Chileans who finished 7th and out of the qualifying positions for the world cup are said to be pushing petitions for replacing Ecuador. Their case is quite precarious as Peru who finished above them are yet to play their playoff fixture against Australia.

Renowned News agency Mundo Deportivo have reported that FIFA have reached a decision to bar Ecuador from competing in this year’s mundial in Qatar, while formal investigation still continues. The world football governing body will in the coming weeks hand a formal notice to Ecuador according to the news agency.

Italy makes claim on potentially vacant slot

The Italians have also registered their intention of booking the ticket if it becomes available. The Italians will attempt to hijack the situation on the basis that they are the highest ranked team to miss the world cup.

The Ecuadorians were drawn in group A that involved the hosts Qatar, Senegal and the Netherlands. The Chileans have also sent their legal representatives to FIFA to quickly attend to the matter and deliver the harshest of sanctions of Ecuador if they are found guilty.

“Chilean soccer is clear that a serious offense has been committed by the player (Byron Castillo). We have no doubt, with the documentation we have in hand, [de] that he is Colombian. We have a narrative that has a beginning, a middle and an end,” said Eduardo Carlezzo, the head of the Chilean legal team.

“I’m sure that FIFA has knowledge and the need to speed up this very quickly. For this week we expect a demonstration” the Chilean legal representative added.

The situation seems to be garnering more momentum as FIFA and other concerned agencies are currently investigating the Chileans allegations and official statements should be out any time from now.