Spain's appeal against World Cup qualification dismissed

The Spanish Rugby Federation's (FER) board of directors said in April that three members of Alcobendas Rugby Club falsified a copy of the passport belonging to Gavin Van den Berg, who is of South African origin, in order to make him eligible to play.

Spain's appeal against their disqualification from next year's Rugby World Cup in France for fielding an ineligible player during the 2021-22 Rugby Europe Championship has been dismissed.

"The Independent Appeal Committee reviewed the original decision of the Independent Judicial Committee based on the evidence that was before it," World Rugby said in a statement. "Having considered detailed submissions from the Spanish Union and World Rugby, the Independent Appeal Committee dismissed the appeal.