Syria has been disqualified from the 2014 World Cup after fielding an ineligible player in qualifiers, FIFA said Friday. World soccer's governing body said in a statement that Tajikistan would be reinstated into the competition in Syria's place. “The Syrian team is disqualified from the competition, losing their second round knockout phase by forfeit,” FIFA said in a statement. “These decisions are final and binding and not subject to appeal.” FIFA said the same ineligible player, who has not been named, had taken part in both legs of Syria's Asian qualifying second round tie against Tajikistan on July 23 and 28 and a 3-0 defeat had been imposed on them in each match as punishment. When the matches were played, Syria had won 6-1 on aggregate. Players strike delays Spanish league The start of the Spanish league season will be delayed because Spanish league officials and player representatives failed on a last-minute deal. The Association of Spanish Football Players said the strike will go ahead after meetings with LFP counterparts stumbled Friday. Spanish players representing all 42 teams in the top two divisions backed the first work stoppage in 27 years after failing to sign a new collective bargaining agreement with improved salary guarantees.
