The Byron Castillo case has one more chapter. Just a few days before FIFA's hearing with the Chilean and Ecuadorian federations, an audio came to light in which the current Club León player reveals that he was born in Colombia in 1995 and not in 1998.
According to the English newspaper Daily Mail, the recording would be from an interview that Castillo gave to the Investigative Commission of the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) when his documentation problem came to light. Although the veracity of the audio has not been determined, various media outlets in the region have reported on this information. Many of them claim that this revelation would benefit the Chilean national team in their quest to play in the 2022 World Cup.
La Tercera - Chile
"Key test for La Roja in their dream of qualifying for Qatar: British newspaper publishes alleged confession of Byron Castillo in which he admits to being Colombian and not Ecuadorian. The Daily Mail revealed the audio of an interview in which the player admits to forgery of his documents and his age, opening up a new dimension to Chile's claim," wrote the Chilean media outlet.
La Tercera reporting on the Byron Castillo case. Photo: La Tercera
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Red Gol - Chile
"Byron Castillo admits in leaked audio that he was born in Colombia. Ecuadorian national team defender Byron Castillo acknowledged in an interview conducted in 2018 that he was born in Colombia. He also admits to using a fake passport. Ecuador's national team is at risk of missing out on the 2022 World Cup," said the southern digital newspaper.
Red Gol reporting on the Byron Castillo case. Photo: Red Gol
Mediotiempo - Mexico
"False nationality! Byron Castillo may have confessed, and Ecuador may miss out on the World Cup. The English newspaper Daily Mail presents the alleged confession of Byron Castillo in an audio regarding the use of fake birth certificates and passports," stated the northern newspaper.
Mediotiempo reporting on the Byron Castillo case. Photo: Mediotiempo
Marca Claro - Colombia
"Exposed! Explosive audio of Byron Castillo confessing to being Colombian," indicated the foreign media outlet.
Marca Colombia reporting on the Byron Castillo case. Photo: Marca Colombia
Al Aire Libre - Chile
"Byron Castillo's confession revealed in England complicates Ecuador. The British newspaper Daily Mail, two days before the FIFA appeal results regarding the Byron Castillo case, revealed an audio from 2018 where the Ecuadorian player confesses to being originally from Colombia, which, according to the aforementioned media outlet, could leave 'la Tri' without the World Cup," said the digital media outlet.
Al Aire Libre reporting on the Byron Castillo case. Photo: Al Aire Libre