The Byron Castillo case continues to cause controversy and debate, but the Chilean National Team maintains its hopes of reaching the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Five months before the start of the ultimate football celebration, the 'Roja' sees a light at the end of the tunnel. What is happening?
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On June 10th, FIFA announced the sentence in the first instance for the lawsuit filed by the Chilean Football Federation against the Ecuadorian National Team for the alleged irregular registration of Byron Castillo. After that ruling, the 'Roja' had ten days to request the grounds and be able to appeal.
According to the 'Redgol' portal, the requested documentation would have arrived on Wednesday for the 'Roja' and from Santiago they indicate that they are already considering taking the first step for the appeal that makes the Chilean National Team dream of going to the 2022 Qatar World Cup. With this information, the southern country does not close the Byron Castillo case and will seek to qualify for the World Cup.
Does Chile have a chance to go to the World Cup?
Eduardo Carlezzo is the lawyer who took the case on behalf of the National Professional Football Association (ANFP) and was waiting for the documentation from FIFA to proceed with the appeal. It is worth remembering that at the beginning of the month, and after FIFA's denial of the Chilean National Team's claim, the Brazilian lawyer stated that the hopes of the 2022 Qatar World Cup had not been lost yet.
"The important thing now will be to know why they reached that decision. When we have the details in our hands, we will know how to proceed. The game is open, we will continue investigating, we will gather more evidence. We are sure of what we are doing, we know that the player was born in Tumaco, that everything that happened is very serious, and therefore it requires FIFA's firm hand," he said.
Carlezzo also mentioned that the direct enemy of the Chilean National Team to reach the 2022 Qatar World Cup is time, as there are less than five months left until the grand premiere. However, as long as the 'Roja' has chances to appeal, the southern institution has already confirmed that they will not lower their guard.