FIFA throws out Cape Verde from World Cup playoffs

World soccer governing body, Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) has thrown out Cape Verde from the play-off for fielding an eligible player against Tunisia last week.

The Blue Sharks fielded defender Fernando Varela in the ultimate qualifier when the player was still serving a four-match ban after receiving a red card for unsporting conduct towards a match official during a qualifier last March.

Per the ruling of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, the 2-0 win in favour of the Islanders has been overturned and awarded 3-0 in favour of the Tunisians.

“The match has been declared to be forfeited and awarded 3-0 in favour of Tunisia, meaning that the Cape Verde Islands will not progress to round three of the FIFA World Cup African zone qualifiers having dropped to second place in Group B with nine points while Tunisia finish first with 14 points and will now advance.

“The Cape Verdean Football Association has also received a fine of CHF 6,000 after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee considered the FCF liable for having breached art. 55 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and art. 8 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Regulations,” FIFA said in a statement.

This means that the Tunisians will replace Cape Verde for the draw for the playoff next Monday, September 16 in Cairo Egypt.

Other qualified countries are Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Senegal and Ethiopia.

Source: GNA