Spain appealed Friday to the International Rugby Federation's decision not to include Spain in the 2023 World Cup in France because it fielded an ineligible player during qualifying. World Rugby announced.
Gavin van den Berg, the South African pillar, had been aligned twice in Tournament B against the Netherlands (victories 52-7 in 2021 and 43-0 in 2020), which qualified for the World Cup. According to World Rugby regulations, he would have missed the required 60-day interruption to qualify for the World Cup if he had not been in Spain for three years.
An independent judicial commission imposed a fine in the amount of 25,000 Pounds (nearly 30.000 Euros) at the end of April. This was a deduction of five points that led to the country's exclusion from the World Cup.
The statement by World Rugby Friday stated that Spain had "appealed" the decision. An "independent committee", which will examine this appeal, was released. The hearing date has yet to be confirmed.
Alfonso Feijoo was elected president of the Spanish Rugby Federation (FER), a few days after the decision by the international rugby body. He stated that he would resign but not before the disciplinary proceedings are fully advanced to prevent future officials from cancelling or suspending Spanish rugby without the approval and consent of the assembly.
The FER had opened extraordinary disciplinary proceedings against Alcobendas club Gavin van den Berg. She stated that the club was aware of the possibility of Gavin Van den Berg being granted the status as an eligible player by altering an official document.
The players of the XV of the Lion expressed their dissatisfaction by writing: "We want to communicate our disgust, anger and distance ourselves from the leaders that have only twice ruined us participation in the World Cup," wrote the players.
Spain was expelled from the 2023 World Cup. This will allow Romania to participate in the tournament. Portugal will be allowed to participate in the final qualifying tournament in November 2022, in place of Romania.
