A Small Chance For The Italian National Team To Qualify For The 2022 World Cup Is Gone, FIFA Rejects Chile's Protests Regarding Ecuador

World Cup Trophy (Twitter @fifaworldcup)

JAKARTA - The hope of the Italian national team to be able to appear in the Qatar 2022 World Cup has been dashed. That sliver of opportunity disappeared after FIFA issued its decision regarding Chile's protests against Ecuador.

FIFA rejects Chile's protest that Ecuador has played illegal players during the Conmebol World Cup qualifiers. That means Ecuador is still entitled to participate in Qatar later.

"After analyzing the evidence from all relevant parties and considering all the elements previously submitted, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided to close the lawsuit that was initiated against the FEF (Ecuadorian football association), According to FIFA's official statement, as reported by Antara from Reuters.

"This decision remains subject to appeal in the FIFA Appeals Committee's court", the statement continued.

Previously, the Chilean Football Federation (FFCh) protested against allegations that Ecuador used illegal player Byron Castillo. He is recorded as having played eight times for Ecuador in the Latin America zone World Cup qualifiers.

They claim Castillo is a player born in Tumaco, Colombia, in 1995. While in the official registered documents, Castillo is a player born in General Vilammil Playas, Ecuador, in 1998.

If Chile's lawsuit is accepted, Ecuador is threatened with losing a ticket to the 2022 World Cup because it has to receive a point deduction. The remaining tickets are what the Italian national team can reportedly get.

The chairman of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Gabriele Gravina has actually vehemently denied the idea. However, he is reportedly still asking FIFA about that possibility.

Meanwhile, the Italian national team coach, Roberto Mancini, said that there was still a FIFA ranking that would determine who would replace Ecuador if the South American nation was removed from participation in the 2022 World Cup.