The Football Federation of Chile (ANFP) alleges that Byron Castillo, who made eight appearances in Ecuador's qualification campaign, was actually born in Colombia and is three years older than Ecuadorian officials say.

Castillo played in both of Ecuador's matches versus Chile - a win and a loss for La Tri.

Should the eight games he appeared in be classified as 3-0 wins for Ecuador's opponents, as is standard practice were Castillo deemed to be ineligible, Chile would jump from seventh to fourth in the South American standings and qualify for the World Cup.

Ecuador would miss out, while Peru would remain fifth and still face a playoff versus Australia.

Following receipt of the ANFP complaint and launch of an investigation, the Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) and Peruvian Football Association have been invited to submit their positions to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

The FEF has emphatically denied the Chilean allegations.

Castillo has previously faced doubt over his permission to play for Ecuador, with suggestions he is in fact Colombian preventing the player from making a full international debut until September 2 last year.

Castillo had played for Ecuadorian national youth teams, but a senior international bow was put on ice until the end of an investigation into his origin.

An Ecuadorian court in April 2021 ruled Castillo was Ecuadorian, and born on November 10 1998 in Ecuador.

However, the ANFP claims to have proof Castillo was born in Tumaco, Colombia on July 25 1995, not in General Villamil Playas three years later as the Ecuadorians say.

It also claims the FEF investigation into Castillo determined he was Colombian, after a civil probe deemed a birth certificate presented by the player to be inconsistent with other records and potentially fraudulent. 

"All this, obviously, was fully known by the FEF", the ANFP said in a statement when first making the allegations.

"The world of football cannot close its eyes to so many tests.

"The practice of serious and conscious irregularities in the registration of players cannot be accepted, especially when we are talking about a world competition. 

"There must be fair play on and off the pitch."

Ecuador have been drawn alongside hosts Qatar, The Netherlands and African champions Senegal in the group stage of this year's men's World Cup.