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HomeNewsBolivia Forced To Forfeit World Cup Qualifiers Over Ineligible Player

Bolivia Forced To Forfeit World Cup Qualifiers Over Ineligible Player

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Bolivia have forfeited two World Cup qualifying matches after being found guilty of fielding an ineligible player, football world governing body FIFA said on Tuesday.

neymar-against-boliviaFIFA ruled that Bolivia breached FIFA rules when Nelson Cabrera was introduced as a late substitute in their 2-0 victory over Peru in La Paz on September 1 and again in the 0-0 draw with Chile in Santiago five days later. Cabrera, 33, had previously played for Paraguay, the country of his birth.

fifa-headquatersIn a statement, FIFA said it awarded 3-0 wins for Peru and Chile and issued the Bolivian football association with a fine.

The decision is a welcome boost to Chile, who have risen to fifth place in the 10-team South American zone standings, equal on points with Argentina. Bolivia are ninth, above only Venezuela and with little hope of qualifying.

Tnelson-cabrerahe top four teams at the end of the two-year qualifying tournament will earn an automatic berth at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The fifth-ranked side will meet the Oceania champions in an inter-continental playoff.

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