Iraq has appealed to the CAS after Qatar fielded an ineligible player in the clash in March. FIFA had earlier determined that despite the fact Brazilian-born Emerson was unable to play for the Middle Eastern nation, Iraq had taken too long to appeal and therefore the result of the match, which Qatar won 2-0, stood.

If Iraq is successful in getting the result of that match overturned, then it will have finished in the top two positions in that qualifying group and has every right to demand it takes Qatar's spot in the final group stage.

The whole qualification could be thrown into turmoil with Qatar having already played two games in the final stage to sit top of Group A, which also features Australia, Japan, Uzbekistan and Bahrain. If the CAS overturn FIFA's ruling then it is likely those matches involving Qatar would have to be replayed against Iraq.

But any hopes of a quick resolution to the situation has been dashed with the CAS, which heard Iraq's appeal this week, telling Reuters that a decision could take a number of weeks.

"There was no request by the parties involved for an urgent release of the court's findings," CAS Secretary-General Matthieu Reeb said. "It will be deferred until all parties are notified, which could take a few weeks."

Australia is set to play Qatar in Brisbane on October 15, but that match could have to be rescheduled if Iraq is successful in its appeal.

It's the latest of a bizarre series of events in Asian World Cup qualification. Oddly, Iraq's hopes of qualifying were almost ended ahead of its clash against Australia in June when FIFA suspended the Iraqi football federation due to government interference