Italy supporters desperate to see their country at the 2022 World Cup should not get their hopes up at the latest FIFA announcement that they are investigating alleged foul play for Ecuador, who qualified for Qatar.
On Wednesday, football’s governing body announced they were officially looking into allegations made by the Chilean FA that Ecuador falsified the documents of player Byron Castillo.
Chile’s claim is that Castillo has a Colombian birth certificate which states he was born in 1995 and not 1998 as his Ecuadorian one reads.
Castillo played eight matches throughout qualifying – including twice against Chile, who failed to reach the World Cup, and Ecuador picked up four points against La Roja.
The player did not feature against Peru, who finished above Chile in the intercontinental play-off spot, and they have also been asked to provide evidence.
Should Ecuador be found guilty, it is likely they will lose the points gained from matches in which Castillo featured, so the five points awarded to Chile would see them finish above and therefore replace La Tri at the World Cup.