Jersey Bulls have been hit with a three-point deduction after fielding an ineligible player earlier this season – but still have a chance of being promoted via the play-offs.
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.”
From the decision release on Friday evening at 20:46, the Bulls have seven days to appeal.
Despite low morale, the team then beat Sandhurst in their final league game on Saturday thanks to a goal by Joe Kilshaw.
The Bulls will now face their fate in the play-offs after finishing third overall in the league.
They will host fourth-placed Cobham at Springfield this Saturday 26 April.
If successful, they will face the winner of of AFC Whyteleafe and Fleet Town in the play-off final – with the overall winner securing the second promotion spot.