FAI Shame the eL

Friday night's two games postponed - 10 October 2003

Two eircom League clubs have lodged appeals with the FAI regarding the decision of the eircom League to proceed with scheduled fixtures for this evening, Friday, October 10th.

The FAI has agreed to hear these appeals raised by Bohemian FC and St Patrick�s Athletic FC. The league fixtures for the two clubs were scheduled for this evening, just two days after their Cup Replay match at Inchicore on Wednesday.

St Patrick�s Athletic and Bohemians were involved in the seven-goal game of the season at Richmond Park in the FAI Carlsberg Cup two days ago, a game which went to extra time and which enthralled the spectators and the television audience who witnessed the game live on RTE. The players from the respective clubs would have faced their third important match in six days if Friday�s fixtures had stood.

The appeals were submitted following the eircom League�s decision to proceed with league fixtures for both clubs scheduled for tonight. The FAI, following extensive discussions with eircom League clubs affected by possible fixture changes, believes there are appropriate grounds for the appeals to be heard and for this due process to take place. Discussions also took place with the eircom League on the matter.

In order for the appeals to be considered, the matches between St Patrick�s Athletic and Longford Town and Shelbourne versus Bohemians have been postponed. The appeals will be heard at the earliest possible date.

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IMO the FAI have once again treated the eL with contempt.

- Why wait til the day of the games to postpone them?
- Why did the league arrange the fixtures in such a way that teams would be playing friday & monday of the weekend after a Cup weekend when the possibility of replays existed?
- Why can't the league hear the appeals by the clubs now? i.e. why they off on junkets to Switzerland & literally ignoring the league?

muppets! :rolleyes: