Ecuador will play at this year’s World Cup after FIFA dismissed Chile’s claim that their South American rivals had fielded an ineligible player in the qualifiers.
Chile complained to FIFA last month that Byron Castillo, who featured in eight World Cup qualification matches for Ecuador, was actually born in Colombia and is three and a half years older than his documentation states.
That put Ecuador’s place at the Qatar World Cup under threat. They finished fourth in the CONMEBOL qualification group, ahead of Chile, Colombia and Peru.
But on Friday, FIFA released a statement saying: “After analysing the submissions of all parties concerned and considering all elements brought before it, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to close the proceedings initiated against the FEF.”
FIFA added that the decision is subject to appeal.
