2022 FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar could be facing a different team for their curtain-raiser on November 20 after new evidence of Ecuador defender Byron Castillo falsifying his birth certificate surfaced.
The right-back, who played eight times during the South American qualifying stage as Gustavo Alfaro's men qualified for the upcoming showcase, was allegedly born in Colombia.
FIFA had dismissed the claim made by Chile, who drew 0-0 and lost 2-0 to Ecuador during the qualification as they finished seven points behind the automatic qualifying spots, but La Roja continued to push their case and made an appeal.
"We are completely sure about the conclusions of our investigations," said Federacion de Futbol de Chile (ANPF) general secretary Jorge Yunge back in July.
"It's absolutely clear the player uses an adulterated Ecuadorean document. What is at stake here is not just a place in the 2022 World Cup, but the entire principle of fair play."
Now, according to Sportsmail, not only did Castillo fake his actual name as well as place and date of birth, but the Ecuador Football Federation (FEF) was allegedly aware of it and covered it up.
The bombshell could have an impact on the final decision of the FIFA Appeal Committee, who are set to meet in the coming days to discuss the matter.
Based on past similar incidents, national teams found guilty of fielding any ineligible player were punished with a 3-0 defeat for each and every affected match.
If the Appeal Committee decide against Ecuador, Peru could stand to benefit as they finished fifth behind Ecuador and were knocked out by Australia in the inter-confederation play-offs.
Ecuador are in Group A at the World Cup alongside Qatar, Senegal and the Netherlands.
