Chile’s application to replace Ecuador at the World Cup in Qatar was denied; however, the country is prepared to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

FIFA rejected Chile’s claim that Byron Castillo was actually a Colombian and so ineligible to represent Ecuador in World Cup qualifying matches.

In a statement issued on Friday, the governing body stated that its appeals committee had approved the choice to “close proceedings” brought against Ecuador’s football organization.

According to the country’s legal regulations, it was also stated in the statement that it “thought that on the basis of the documents given, the player was to be treated as holding permanent Ecuadorian nationality.”

Ecuador will play Qatar in the World Cup opener on November 20 in Doha according to the decision, which upholds a FIFA disciplinary decision from June.

Chile acknowledged that they intended to pursue their legal fight, although FIFA stated that the judgment was “subject to an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”

“The Chilean FA confirms it will be appealing the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport as soon as it has received the full written reasons for FIFA’s decision,” read a statement from general secretary Jorge Yunge and the federation’s attorney Eduardo Carlezzo.

In the nine weeks before the start of the World Cup, the sport’s top court, which is situated in Switzerland, has the authority to schedule a hearing and issue a decision.

However, FIFA regulations state that there is no timeframe for FIFA to provide Chile with a detailed explanation of their decision to deny the appeal.

The Court for Arbitration in Sport is running out of time to hear any cases before the World Cup, which is only two months away, and Chile is rumored to think FIFA has been dragging its feet throughout the controversy since dismissing Ecuador at this point would be so upsetting.