Russia have qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup after Romania, Spain and Belgium were docked points for repeatedly using ineligible players during the European qualifying series.

Romania had appeared to be heading to Japan after topping the competition but in a final twist to a complicated and controversial qualification process an investigation by an independent judicial and disputes committee resulted in nations being docked five match points for each ineligible player used.

Russia had finished third in the series above Germany and the Belgians, who were found to have fielded five ineligible players and were docked 30 points.

Romania relinquished their place in Japan after being docked 30 points for fielding Sione Faka'osilea, who had represented Tonga sevens, while second-placed Spain were handed a 40-point deduction for using Mathieu Belie and Bastien Fuster, who had previously played for France Under-20s.

An initial appeal by Spain to have their shock defeat to Belgium, adjudicated by a Romanian referee, was rejected despite the sport's governing body supporting it.

"Having considered all the evidence, including submissions from World Rugby, Rugby Europe, Spain and Belgium, the independent committee refused the request made by World Rugby and Spain to set aside the result of the match and determined that the match should not be replayed," the committee said in a statement.

In reference to the entire investigation, the committee added: "Although mistakes were made by Rugby Europe and participating unions, they had not acted in bad faith. The committee also recommended that World Rugby reemphasise the importance and sanctity of Regulation 8 (eligibility) and any other steps that will prevent a repeat of these circumstances."

The Spanish Rugby Federation said they were very disappointed by the decisions, having sought clearance for Belie and Fuster from their French counterparts.

"I am very glad that our arguments were heard because the federations of Romania, Belgium and Spain committed grave violations of the regulations, allowing these players (to take part in the qualifiers)," the Russian federation's deputy chairman Kirill Yashenkov said.

Eligibility for international rugby can be an extremely complicated affair and, recognising this, the independent committee added: "World Rugby might want to consider whether to maintain a database showing players who have been captured by unions."

Following the points adjustments, Russia emerged top to advance to next year's tournament in Japan, which will be their second appearance in the finals following 2011 in New Zealand when they lost all four pool games.

Germany, who have never been to a World Cup finals, were promoted to second in the European table and will now contest a play-off against Portugal to decide who plays Pacific Tri-Nations championship qualifiers Samoa in a daunting final two-legged play-off encounter for a place in Japan.