Tuesday 1 November 2016 16:26, UK
Bolivia have been stripped of the four World Cup qualifying points they gained from a 2-0 victory over Peru and a goalless draw with Chile as punishment for fielding an ineligible player.
FIFA has awarded Peru and Chile 3-0 victories in the matches last month after 33-year-old defender Nelson Cabrera played for Bolivia despite being ineligible having previously represented Paraguay.
Cabrera featured as a late substitute in both matches, against Bolivia in La Paz on September 1, and five days later against Chile in Santiago, although he was not included in the squad for the 5-0 defeat in Brazil on October 6.
Bolivia, who were also fined 12,000 Swiss francs (£10,000), remain second-last in the 10-team South American qualifying standings.
It is unclear if Bolivia failed to apply properly for Cabrera's transfer of allegiance, or if he was never eligible for his second national team.
The top four qualify automatically for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the fifth-placed team go into a play-off.
FIFA's ruling sees Argentina slip to sixth place in the table with 16 points after 10 matches, although they are level on points with fifth-placed Chile and just a point behind Ecuador and Colombia.
Brazil are top of the standings with 21 points, a point ahead of Uruguay.
