The Barbados Football Association (BFA) has been sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player in the preliminary competition match for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ played between Barbados and Aruba on 14 June 2015.
The match is declared to be forfeited and awarded 0-3 in favour of Aruba, with the BFA also receiving a fine of CHF 6,000 after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee considered the BFA liable for having breached art. 55 par. 1 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and art. 8 of the Regulations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. Upon delivering its decision, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee referred to the wording of art. 55 of the FDC which sets a clear sanction for any breach of eligibility rules.
The sanction relates to the Barbadian player Hadan Holligan failing to serve the automatic one match suspension imposed on him following two cautions received in two different matches (art. 17 par. 3 of the FDC).
The sanction will have immediate effect and as a consequence Aruba will now qualify for the next round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ qualifiers.