NEW YORK (AP) — Mexico has been fined 10,000 Swiss francs ($10,900) by FIFA forfeiting two friendly matches for using American forward Alejandro Zendejas.
FIFA also said Mexico had been ordered to withdraw from three under-23 matches with Zendejas.
The Governing Body did not announce the penalty until Thursday. That was a day after the United States Soccer Federation was contacted by the Associated Press after selecting Zendejas for next week’s games against Serbia and Colombia.
The 24-year-old forward made three starts for the United States at the 2015 U-17 World Cup, teaming with Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams.
“FIFA confirms that it has fined the Mexican Football Association 10,000 Swiss francs for breach of Article 5 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the FIFA Rules (RGAS) following the defence of player Alejandro Zendejas. We can,” the governing body said. in a statement.
“In addition to the fine, all matches have been declared forfeited. However, the player remains eligible to play for the US national team under applicable RGAS regulations.”
Under FIFA regulations, Zendejas had to participate in official competitions for the U.S. youth national team, so in order to play for the Mexican national team, he had to apply to FIFA to switch his affiliation only once.
Among the forfeitures, FIFA cited a game against Ecuador in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 28, 2021. In this match, Zendejas came on as a substitute for Uriel Antuna in the 66th minute and Mexico lost 3–2 to him. Zendejas started and played until 72 minutes against Guatemala on April 22 in Orlando, Florida, resulting in a 0-0 draw.
Mexico also won the under-23 games against Romania (won 1-0 on 5 June 2021), against Saudi Arabia (drawing 1-1 on 8 June) and against Australia (6 (who won 3–2 on March 12) were ordered to withdraw. ).
All forfeits result in a 3-0 loss. Changes to senior national team matches will have a minor impact on Mexico’s FIFA rankings.
Zendejas was in the youth academy of Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas. He said he was born in El Paso, TexasHe made his MLS debut on May 1, 2015 against Houston, moved to Mexico’s Chivas in June 2016, and was loaned out to Sacatepec in June 2017. Zendejas joined Necasa in June 2020 and in January 2022 he moved to club America.
Zendejas was one of 24 players selected Wednesday by US interim coach Anthony Hudson. A game against Serbia on January 25 in Los Angeles and Columbia three days later in Carson, California. He is one of his 13 players on the roster who could debut for the US national team.
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