By Samindra Kunti
August 30 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed Bolivia’s two appeals against forfeiting two World Cup qualifying games for fielding an ineligible player. The ruling hurts Argentina and boosts Chile.
Last September Bolivia recorded a 2-0 win over Peru and a 0-0 draw against Chile, but the Bolivians fielded Paraguay-born player Nelson Cabrera, who it later emerged was ineligible to play.
CAS said FIFA was right to hand 3-0 defeats to Bolivia in those games. Football’s governing body had ruled that Bolivia were wrong to field Paraguay-born defender Nelson Cabrera as a late substitute in both disputed games.
Cabrera had lived three years in Bolivia and fulfilled the country’s requirements for nationalisation. FIFA rules however require a five-year period of residence.
Bolivia appealed FIFA’s decision in both cases, questioning “the validity of FIFA’s right to initiate an investigation into the matter”. However, CAS has upheld the ruling and the punishment.
“The [CAS] panel dismissed such arguments finding that FIFA had the right to initiate ex officio disciplinary proceedings against Bolivia under the [FIFA Disciplinary Code] within a time limit of two years.,” read a statement from CAS.
With the ruling, Chile get an extra two points, allowing them to overtake Argentina in the standings. The Chileans retain their hold on the fourth and final automatic qualifying place. Argentina trail their neighbours by a single point in fifth place, which guarantees an intercontinental playoff spot against New Zealand or Solomon Islands.
“The truth is that I am just coming from training [and finding this out],” reacted Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli. “This is something that we knew was out of our control. We are aware of the reality and we know that we need to face it in the best possible way and change it. We are focused on Uruguay to change our situation. We are living with the reality that we could be out of Russia qualifying.”
On Thursday qualifying in South American resumes with Chile hosting Paraguay and Argentina facing Uruguay in a crunch game. Brazil top the table with 33 points and have qualified for the finals.
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