New evidence has surfaced just days before their appeal.
Ecuador could be kicked out of the World Cup after new evidence proved that one of their players falsified their documents in a confession that was covered up by the Ecuador Football Federation [FEF].
The Daily Mail found the evidence just days before the inquiry into the case of Byron Castillo is assessed by the Appeals Commission on Thursday.
Castillo featured in eight of Ecuador’s World Cup qualifiers but his eligibility has been questioned after rumours emerged that right back was actually born in Colombia.
Both Ecuador and Castillo have denied the allegations but in a damning piece of new evidence, a leaked audio recording of Castillo speaking to investigators proves that he used fake documents in order to play for the South American nation.
In the interview he revealed that he:
- Clearly states he was born in 1995 as opposed to the 1998 date given on his Ecuadorian birth certificate.
- Gives his full name as Bayron Javier Castillo Segura, matching the details of his Colombian birth certificate, rather than the name on the Ecuador certificate, Byron David Castillo Segura.
- Describes in detail leaving the Colombian city of Tumaco for San Lorenzo in Ecuador to pursue a career in football.
- Names an Ecuadorian businessman who provided him with a new identity.
The recording was obtained from a formal interview which took place four years ago between the head of the FEF’s Investigative Commission and Castillo.
FIFA have officially been investigating the allegations after Chile raised their suspicions following their game against Ecuador in April. The Chilean FA claimed he was ineligible to represent Ecuador as he was a Colombian citizen who had entered Ecuador illegally.
Qatar are due to play Ecuador in the opening game of the World Cup, however, they could now be banned as a result of the new evidence obtained.
Chile are hoping to replace them as Castillo featured in both qualifying games against them, in which they only took one point. FIFA could also award Chile two 3-0 victories, which in turn, would see them move from seventh to fourth in the South American qualifying table and ahead of Peru on goal difference.
