Solomon Islands football appeal upheld

10:11 am on 4 May 2019
Chris Satu

Chris Satu Photo: SIFF Media

The Solomon Islands is once again bound for the under-17 men's football world cup, after an appeal against sanctions for fielding an over-age player was upheld.

Chris Satu was in February found to have played at an under-16 championship in Honiara despite being born before 2002.

The president of the Solomon Islands Football Federation said at the time that Satu had lied to them after being found to have two different passports.

The country forfeited all five games he had appeared in, losing their World Cup qualifying berth.

However, the federation later appealed on the grounds that Satu had a passport issued by the Solomon Islands government, which showed he was in fact under 16 at the time.

This was yesterday upheld by an appeal committee, clearing the way for Solomon Islands to head to the World Cup in Brazil later this year.