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World Rugby has described the series of events which led Spain to be ejected from next year's World Cup in France as 'quite despicable'.
The Spanish were found guilty last month of fielding an illegible player whose passport was forged so he could be selected on residency grounds.
South Africa-born prop Gavin van den Berg made two appearances against the Netherlands during the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Van den Berg – who plays for the Madrid-based club Alcobendas – was unaware his passport had been forged.
Spain qualified for the Rugby World Cup but were booted out for fielding an ineligible player
Concerns over Gavin Van den Berg's eligibility were raised by the Romanian rugby federation
Spain finished as runners-up in the Rugby Europe Championship to seal a place at France 2023 and what would have been their first World Cup in 24 years.
But World Rugby's investigation on Van den Berg found he had not been a Spanish resident for the 36-month
