The Leones fielded an ineligible player in two games in qualifying. Their appeal was dismissed on Monday.
Article written by
Posted
Update
Reading time : 1 min.
The end of the Leones’ dream. Spain have had their appeal rejected and will therefore not participate in next year’s tournament in France, World Rugby announced on Monday (June 27). In question, the selection lined up an unqualified player twice, in 2020 and 2021.
“In accordance with World Rugby regulations, the decision of the independent appeal committee is final and cannot be appealed again”the body said in a statement.
#FERugby | El Comité de Apelación de World Rugby maintains the sanction that already al XV del León fuera del Mundial https://t.co/heeDqpjRgV
— Spain Rugby (@ferugby) June 27, 2022
South African pillar Gavin van den Berg had been twice lined up by Spain against the Netherlands (victories 43-0 in 2020 and 52-7 in 2021) during the Six Nations B Tournament, qualifier for the World Cup . But he had not resided in Spain for three years without a break of more than 60 days, a necessary condition to be eligible for the country, according to World Rugby regulations.
An independent judicial commission had imposed at the end of April on the Spanish Federation a fine of 25,000 pounds (nearly 30,000 euros) and a deduction of points for its national team, therefore not qualified for the 2023 World Cup in France. Spain will therefore not honor a second qualification for a World Cup, after 1999.
This decision, confirmed on appeal, benefits Romania, directly qualified for the tournament. The Romanians will face South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and a fifth nation to be determined, in pool B. Portugal will be able to take part, in place of Romania, in the final qualifying tournament organized in November 2022.