Awarding clubs league points.

**SMorgan** · 21/10/2008, 5:59 AM

I go back to my original point they can't go awarding points because it's grossly unfair on clubs not involved in the game. The potential for trouble ahead is MASSIVE. Why can't the FAI see this?

**The Lilywhites** · 21/10/2008, 6:07 AM

From today's Indo.

Forfeit to boost Blues' title push

Tuesday October 21 2008

WATERFORD United have been handed a fresh boost in their push for the Eircom League First Division title after it emerged that Athlone Town fielded an unregistered player when the two met earlier this month, writes Neil Ahern.

As a result, Athlone are expected to forfeit the game, which ended in a 0-0 draw, meaning the original result will be overturned and Waterford United will be handed a 3-0 victory.

An FAI spokesperson last night confirmed this in accordance with regulations in the Participation Agreement and said, "The matter has been issued to the independent disciplinary commission and they will make their decision."

The Blues are four points off Shelbourne and Dundalk but if the commission's decision goes their way they will climb to within two points of the summit.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...h-1504191.html

**jinxy lilywhite** · 21/10/2008, 8:34 AM

Mr. Delaney looking after his home town club.

Can see a high ct action if Waterford win the league by less than 2 points

**SMorgan** · 21/10/2008, 12:11 PM

I can't get over the shear stupidity of this action.

This is a High Court job, if not now, at some point in the future.

**pineapple stu** · 21/10/2008, 12:16 PM

In fairness, the clubs signed up to the rules. There's nothing intrinsically unfair about the decision (it's the most common award across the world for ineligible players), so I can't see how it can be challenged either within or without the rules.

Is that three *s for Athlone in the last decade now?

**Battery Rover** · 21/10/2008, 12:24 PM

Seeing as it is still with the disciplinary committee I cant see who the decision is already made. it is possibly a case of this is the leagues recommended saction but the independent committee are by no means bound by it.

**Duffman** · 21/10/2008, 12:36 PM

So is there no sanction for Athlone then as the offending team? Just DFC and Shels that suffer as a result of another teams inefficiencies/mistakes/oversight ?

**Dodge** · 21/10/2008, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Duffman

So is there no sanction for Athlone then as the offending team?

The game was awarded to their opposition.

**Battery Rover** · 21/10/2008, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Duffman

So is there no sanction for Athlone then as the offending team? Just DFC and Shels that suffer as a result of another teams inefficiencies/mistakes/oversight ?

No one knows as it is still with the committee. As soon as I receive it I will post it here as will Stann.

**pineapple stu** · 21/10/2008, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Duffman

So is there no sanction for Athlone then as the offending team?

They lose one point, and presumably they'll be fined too (assuming the decision was made, etc).

**stann** · 21/10/2008, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Battery Rover

No one knows as it is still with the committee. As soon as I receive it I will post it here as will Stann.

Indeed.
The decision will not be made until tomorrow evening's meeting of the disciplinary committee, so nothing will be forthcoming until then.

Duffman, IF it does come to pass then Athlone would have to pay a fine as well as lose the point, so yes, there is a sanction. I would imagine it would be of the order of the Limerick one, as that was also forfeiture of a match.
EDIT - In other words, what Pineapple Stu said.

By the way, Jinxy, just to get things straight, you believe that John Delaney got the rules changed months ago, because he somehow foresaw that Waterford would be in a race for the title that they would let slip, so two weeks previous to the time he foresaw that happening he arranged for an ineligible player to be played against us? Of course, it's so obvious when it's spelled out like that!

**Mental Man** · 21/10/2008, 12:57 PM

I hope the FAI have stocked up on new fire extinguishers, christmas is just around the corner again

**noby** · 21/10/2008, 12:58 PM

John Delaney got the rules changed months ago, because he somehow foresaw that Waterford would be in a race for the title that they would let slip, so two weeks previous to the time he foresaw that happening he arranged for an ineligible player to be played against us?

And he would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for those pesky kids.

**jinxy lilywhite** · 21/10/2008, 1:19 PM

Originally Posted by stann

By the way, Jinxy, just to get things straight, you believe that John Delaney got the rules changed months ago, because he somehow foresaw that Waterford would be in a race for the title that they would let slip, so two weeks previous to the time he foresaw that happening he arranged for an ineligible player to be played against us? Of course, it's so obvious when it's spelled out like that!

When you put it like that Stann, you never know.

Seems to be a concerted effort by some powers that be over the last 3 years to put obstacles in our way.
Won't mean much though when we beat Waterford on Friday.

**Louth4sam** · 21/10/2008, 1:48 PM

Its a pain in the hole and worked out badly for us and Shels but if its in the rules its in the rules.
We could very well get screwed over yet again by FAI rule changes but unfortunately there isn't anything we can do about it.

**SMorgan** · 21/10/2008, 5:01 PM

To be honest even as a Dundalk fan, I am not particularly put out by Waterford getting the two points. I can't see them winning the league with the 2 points. I am more concerned about down the line and if a league title or promotion/relegation will be decided on it.

Imagine a situation were Harps are one point ahead of Cobh in the race against relegation and Cobh play the last game of the season away to Bohs and get tanked 4 nil. Then its discovered Bohs played somebody they shouldn't have. In that situation Cobh will have to get the three points. Would that be fair on Harps if they didn't win their final game?

You can't write something off as "well they are the rules".

I don't berlieve any other league in the europe would award league points off the field.

**blue til i die** · 21/10/2008, 6:50 PM

so even if you break the rules, nothing should happen? What if the ineligible player was the goalkeeper who made a few great saves during the game. whether or not the player played 90 minutes or 9 minutes, ineligible players are ineligible. if it was you're team, you'd be calling for the points too. rules are rules. every team signed up for them. heard Robbie Benson wasn't signed by Athlone Town and he came on for O'Dowd on 77 minutes in that game at the RSC??

**Battery Rover** · 21/10/2008, 7:18 PM

Originally Posted by blue til i die

heard Robbie Benson wasn't signed by Athlone Town and he came on for O'Dowd on 77 minutes in that game at the RSC??

He has played for the club for the past two seasons

**Duffman** · 21/10/2008, 7:37 PM

Originally Posted by blue til i die

rules are rules. every team signed up for them.

Given that rule book is dated 4 months after the start of the season I wonder did every team sign up for them. Perhaps of course thats a meaningless date but I would like to know definitively.

**Battery Rover** · 21/10/2008, 7:41 PM

Originally Posted by Duffman

Given that rule book is dated 4 months after the start of the season I wonder did every team sign up for them. Perhaps of course thats a meaningless date but I would like to know definitively.

By signing the participation agreement you sign up in the interests of fairness and compliance with the rules