Chile avoid expulsion from South Africa 2010
The recent threat of Chile being thrown out of the World Cup looks to be over after domestic club Rangers backed down over their controversial relegation.
FIFA had given Chile’s football association three days to make Rangers drop a court case over their disputed relegation from the Chilian Premier Division or else they would risk a FIFA suspension.
Rangers took action after they were deducted three points for fielding one foreign player too many in their side. This consigned them to relegation but the team’s appeal held up the Play Off system that ends the league season.
Cristian Herrera, Rangers administrator, said: “Following the arrival of the FIFA communique, the creditors called on me to withdraw the case filed in the courts of justice in order not to prejudice the club.”
Chile supporters, who saw the country qualify for South Africa in 2nd place behind Brazil, will be relieved that Rangers’ long shot at avoiding relegation has not harmed their first appearance at the World Cup for 12 years.
