Spain have been removed from the 2023 Rugby World Cup for fielding an ineligible player during their qualification campaign, marking the second consecutive tournament in which they have been disqualified. The decision, announced by World Rugby following an independent judicial committee hearing, means Romania will take Spain's place in Pool B in France next autumn.
The player in question is South African-born prop Gavin Van den Berg, who played for Spain under the three-year residency rule. However, it emerged that he did not meet all the required criteria, and he has also been accused of possessing an allegedly forged passport to claim eligibility.
Spain had secured their place at the finals for the first time since 1999 by finishing second behind Georgia in the Rugby Europe Championship. They were due to face holders South Africa, Scotland, Ireland and an Asia/Pacific qualifier in the group stage.
The complaint was filed by the Romanian Rugby Union, and the judicial committee imposed a 10-point deduction – five points for each of the two matches in which Van den Berg played – along with a £25,000 fine. A suspended £50,000 sanction from a previous eligibility breach at the 2019 World Cup qualifying stage was also made payable.
As a result of the points deduction, Romania will replace Spain as Europe 2 in Pool B, while Portugal will take Romania's place in the Final Qualification Tournament in November 2022. Spain have the right to appeal within 14 days of the full written decision, and the Spanish Rugby Federation has indicated it will hold a press conference to address the matter.
