Former CONI committee member Franco Chimenti says Italy still has a chance to play in the World Cup if Ecuador is eliminated.

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup for the second time in a row after losing 1-0 to northern Macedonia in the play-off semifinals in March.

However, Franco Chimenti, the current president of the Italian Golf Federation and a former member of the CONI committee, sees a concrete chance for the Azzurri to play in Qatar in November.

"There is still a chance to see Italy in the World Cup and it is more concrete than people think," he told the GR Parliament, quoted by La Repubblica.

"Apparently, Ecuador has used a player who was not allowed to be on the field and can pay for that situation now with the exception."

"If it happens, another country should replace it and FIFA rules say that the highest place in the FIFA rankings should be selected, at the moment, is Italy."

"Italy ripescata ai Qatar World Cup", Cement on credit [by Fulvio Bianchi] https://t.co/LyF8sODbuH

- Repubblica (@repubblica) May 16, 2022

Last week, FIFA announced that it was formally investigating allegations made by the Chilean federation that Ecuador forged the documents of player Byron Castillo.

Castillo played eight games in qualifying - including twice against Chile, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, and Ecuador scored four points against La Roja.

According to La Repubblica, FIFA can make two different decisions.

Ecuador could lose points gained from the matches in which Castillo appeared, allowing Chile to finish higher in the qualifying group.

The other option, however, is to exclude Ecuador and award the World Cup qualifier to another country.

In this case, the Italian national team would have a chance, being the highest team in the FIFA rankings at the moment.

It should be noted that FIFA President Gianni Infantino dismissed reports that Italy could qualify for the 2022 World Cup. "Please be serious," he told reporters during his recent visit to Florence.

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