Efforts possibly reduced to nothing. After qualifying on the pitch for the next World Cup in France, Spain is now in doubt. World Rugby has indeed announced in a press release that it has opened an investigation to “examine a potential violation” by Spain of the regulations on the eligibility of players used during qualifying for the 2023 World Cup in France.
The body that governs rugby at world level will convene an independent judicial commission to examine a potential violation of Regulation 8, attributable to the Spanish Rugby Federation (FER) during the Rugby Europe Championship 2021 and 2022, European qualification process for the Rugby World Cup 2023.
World Rugby has been made aware of a potential breach involving a member of Spain’s senior men’s national team. According to Spanish media, it is 26-year-old Gavin van den Berg. Born in South Africa, the pillar has been evolving in Spain since 2018, in Burgos then in Alconbendas. He was aligned twice against the Netherlands (victories 43-0 in 2020 and 52-7 in 2021), during Tournament B, qualifying for the 2023 World Cup. However, he would not have completed the three years without interruption necessary to be eligible, having interrupted his stay in Spain between May and September 2019, with a return to South Africa after the final of the Spanish championship.
The initial request is believed to have come from the Portuguese Rugby Federation, who saw their side fail in qualifying. If Spain were to be stripped of all ten points for their victories over the Netherlands, it would be Romania who would win their ticket to France, while Portugal would have a final chance in the fall. Four years ago, Romania, Belgium, and already Spain had been deprived of the World Cup in Japan.