CONCACAF rules on ineligible French Guiana player Florent Malouda

Group A just got a little more interesting at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced late Thursday night the decisions taken by the Gold Cup Disciplinary Committee, in the case regarding French Guiana fielding an ineligible player in its July 11 CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Honduras.

As a consequence of fielding Florent Malouda, who was confirmed by the Disciplinary Committee to be ineligible to play in the Gold Cup 2017 according to the applicable regulations, the Disciplinary Committee has levied sanctions and fines against the French Guiana Football League (LGF) and has suspended the player ruled ineligible.

Specifically, the Disciplinary Committee has imposed the following sanctions and fines, which took immediate effect:

• The French Guiana national team is ruled to forfeit its Gold Cup match played against Honduras on July 11, 2017, which ended in a scoreless draw, and the official result is ruled a 3-0 victory for Honduras.
  
• The French Guiana Football League is fined an undisclosed amount, and
  
• Florent Malouda has been suspended for two official matches, during which he will serve a concurrent stadium ban.

Group A play at CONCACAF Gold Cup 2017 resumes on Friday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. French Guiana will face Costa Rica, while Honduras takes on Canada to close out group play (7 p.m. PT on TSN2). Canada would secure their berth in the quarterfinals with a draw.

UPDATED GROUP A STANDINGS