MIAMI, United States, (AFP) – Nicaragua have been banned from this month’s Gold Cup after an investigation found the team repeatedly fielded an ineligible player, Concacaf said in a statement on Monday.

They will be replaced by Trinidad and Tobago.

Concacaf, the ruling body for football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, said Nicaragua had selected an ineligible player in eight men’s international games, including the 2022/2023 Concacaf Nations League.

“In view of this serious breach of regulations, the Concacaf Disciplinary Committee has decided to exclude the Nicaragua Men’s National Team from competing in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup,” the federation said.

Nicaragua also will be relegated to League B in the 2023/2024 Concacaf Nations League.

Nicaragua’s Gold Cup berth will be taken by Trinidad and Tobago, who join the United States and Jamaica in Group A along with an as-yet-undecided fourth team.

The Gold Cup kicks off on June 24, with the final taking place in Los Angeles on July 16.