Belgium, Spain and Romania were found to have fielded ineligible players in the Rugby Europe Championship, with each team deducted five championship points for every game an ineligible player was used.
The ruling meant Russia qualified for the World Cup in place of Romania and Samoa would face Germany or Portugal in a home and away playoff.
While admitting to fielding an ineligible player, who was previously captured by another union, Romania confirmed it was appealing the sanction.
