Breaking News: Tunisia replace Cape Verde in playoffs

Cape Verde Islands have been disqualified from World Cup qualifying after fielding an ineligible player, with Tunisia taking their place in next-month’s playoffs.

Cape Verde believed they had pipped Tunisia to a place in the African qualifying playoffs after claiming a shock 2-0 away win against the Carthage Eagles in their decisive Group B showdown last Saturday.
However, the tiny island nation’s dreams were dashed after FIFA’s disciplinary committee judges that Steaua Bucharest defender Fernando Varela, who played against Tunisia, should have been serving a suspension.
Tunisia brought the issue to FIFA’s attention and world football’s governing body upheld the claim, reinstating the 2004 African Nations Cup champions, who will now compete in the final playoff round as one of ten group winners.
A statement on FIFA's official website read: "By means of a telephone conference, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has today taken a decision to sanction the Cape Verdean Football Association (FCF) for fielding an ineligible player in the preliminary competition match for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil between Tunisia and the Cape Verde Islands on 7 September 2013.
"The match has been declared to be forfeited and awarded 3-0 in favour of Tunisia, meaning that the Cape Verde Islands will not progress to round three of the FIFA World Cup African zone qualifiers having dropped to second place in Group B with nine points while Tunisia finish first with 14 points and will now advance.