Play-off matches which would have seen Jersey Bulls battle it out for promotion this weekend will not take place due to an “ongoing investigation by the FA”.
The Bulls were due to host fourth-placed Cobham at Springfield this Saturday 26 April in the Combined Counties League play-offs, after the Jersey team finished third in the league.
But it was today confirmed by the Combined Counties League that there will be no play-off matches this weekend.
In a post on social media, the Bulls said the announcement was due to “an ongoing investigation by the FA”.
It comes after the Bulls were last week hit with a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player earlier this season.
The deduction was announced late on Friday 18 April, and the team also faced an £120 fine.
The error occurred after member of the squad received a total of ten yellow cards which, by the league rules, should have required him to serve a two-game suspension.
However, one of those yellow cards had been issued in an Isuzu FA Vase cup match, which do not count towards the league.
This error was not picked up on at the time, and the aforementioned player was sat out for two matches – against Horley Town and Camberley Town.
Thinking the ban had now been served, the player was returned to the squad for the home clash against Fleet Town on 22 March – where he then picked up what was in fact his tenth league yellow card.
It was from then that he should have missed the next two matches – but the player was fielded in the Tooting fixture, which is where the offence was committed.
In a statement released on social media, the club said: “Administrative staff at Jersey Bulls FC realised an error had been made and reported it to the League and Jersey FA immediately.
“Despite efforts to set out the significant mitigation the decision based on the lack of clarity on the number of yellow cards, the Combined Counties League have confirmed the three-point deduction.
“As the club considers it’s options, we’d like to apologise to our amazing players and coaching staff, and ask that our fantastic supporters rally behind the team at this crucial stage of the season.”
The team then beat Sandhurst in their final league game on Saturday, and finished third overall in the league.
The were due to host fourth-placed Cobham at Springfield this Saturday 26 April in the play-offs.
If successful, the Bulls were due to face the winner of of AFC Whyteleafe and Fleet Town in the play-off final – with the overall winner securing the second promotion spot.
