What happens if it is discovered that a player was ineligible?

When a player is discovered to be ineligible, the appropriate course of action is to initiate an inquiry. This step is necessary to gather all relevant information about the situation, determine the reasons for ineligibility, and understand the implications of that status on the game or the league. An inquiry allows for a thorough investigation and assessment by governing bodies, which helps ensure that all rules and regulations have been followed.

The other options may not directly address the process of dealing with an ineligible player. Replaying a game or erasing a player's statistics may depend on the specific rules and regulations of the competition, but neither reflects the initial and formal response to identifying ineligibility. Also, penalizing an entire federation could be an overreach unless there is evidence of systemic issues or negligence related to eligibility regulations. Therefore, the initiation of an inquiry is the correct action to properly address the situation.