French Guiana face possible disciplinary action for fielding ineligible ex-Chelsea player Florent Malouda
French Guiana face possible disciplinary action for fielding former Chelsea star Florent Malouda in their CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Honduras.
As an overseas department of France, the South American side are not FIFA members and are ineligible for the World Cup.
However, the territory are CONCACAF members and are competing in the Gold Cup for the first time - although they may well forfeit their opening game despite holding Honduras to a 0-0 draw.
The 37-year-old Malouda won 80 caps for France but was born in French Guiana and helped them finish third at the Caribbean Cup in June.
However, the Gold Cup adheres to stricter FIFA eligibility guidelines than the Caribbean Cup, meaning a player who has represented a different national team is considered ineligible.
French Guiana named Malouda as captain and the Delhi Dynamos player remained on the field for the duration of the match, which is now likely to be forfeited in favour of Honduras.
A CONCACAF statement said: "In regards to the election of the French Guiana National Team to field player Florent Malouda in this evening's Gold Cup match against the Honduras National Team, and in line with the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2017 Regulations which are governed by FIFA Regulations pertaining to player eligibility, the matter has been referred to the CONCACAF Gold Cup Disciplinary Committee.
"The Disciplinary Committee will review the case and render its decision in due time."
