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BRUSSELS, Sept 29 (Reuters) - The Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed an appeal on Monday by the Iraqi FA against FIFA for clearing Qatar of blame for fielding an ineligible player in a World Cup qualifier and upheld Qatar's victory in the match.
Soccer's world governing body exonerated Qatar over their decision to field naturalised Brazilian Emerson in their 2-0 win over Iraq in March -- denying the surprise Asian champions a chance to reach their first World Cup in 24 years.
"The appeal filed by the IFA is dismissed and the result of the match Qatar-Iraq of 26 March 2008 is confirmed," CAS said in a statement.
"The CAS has confirmed the FIFA decision which determined that a previous appeal filed by the IFA (Iraq FA) with FIFA was not admissible due to the late payment of the appeal fee."
Iraq twice protested against the participation of Emerson -- who had already represented his birth country at youth level - but FIFA rejected their appeal, citing late submission of documents and fees.
CAS ruled the IFA paid the appeal fee to FIFA 11 days after the deadline had expired.
FIFA's rules state that anyone who has played for one country cannot represent another and its competition rules state that any team "found guilty of fielding an ineligible player shall forfeit the match in question" and "victory and the resultant 3 points will be awarded to the opposing team".
But the game's top body said the tiny Gulf state was not to blame because it was unaware the globe-trotting Emerson, who has played on four continents, had represented Brazil under his birth name, Marcio Passos De Albuquerque.
Emerson, who was arrested in 2006 by Brazilian police for falsifying his age in his passport, has since been banned by FIFA.
"It's disappointing, rules are rules, and Qatar broke FIFA's rules, there is no doubt at all," Jorvan Vieira, Iraq's national team coach, who is Brazilian-born, told Reuters.
"Too many matches have been played already and there is no way the court would make a decision that would mean these matches had to be replayed. It is too late for that."
Qatar Football Federation secretary general Saud al-Mohammadi said: "We are very happy, we feel that we didn't do anything wrong. The player himself didn't tell us about his background...If we had known he had represented Brazil, we would not have taken this risk.
"FIFA made the rules, they appreciate our situation. We always had the best intentions."
