Promotion / Relegation Play - Offs 2012

**pineapple stu** · 07/11/2012, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

Why wait until after the playoff? No problem with Waterford doing this if they feel it's their only chance of being promoted but makes them look pretty pathetic.

None of their concern until they got through to play ye in the play-off in fairness.

**Dodge** · 07/11/2012, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by **FrOsTy**

It seems that Rafter was not eligible for Dundalk, but the FAI signed it off as been eligible.

It does not seem tht way to me, and it most certainly shouldn't be used as a backdoor route into the big league for Waterford

**Louth4sam** · 07/11/2012, 1:08 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

None of their concern until they got through to play ye in the play-off in fairness.

Well it is, if they knew about it pre playoff, it should have been brought up then. The fact they waited until after the playoff shows bad sportsmanship.
If Dundalk got all their points expunged they still would have been in the play off position but we may have had an option not to play Rafter in playoff if his contract is indeed void.

**bluewhitearmy** · 07/11/2012, 1:28 PM

Between this and the Waterford chairman saying on the radio that he would be happy if a prem club went bust i hope they rot in the first division. Ye talk about the league being a joke and all that the only way the league will ever start to get respect is when things like promotion and relegation are only ever won on the pitch, something ye couldn't do and are now desperately looking for anything for ye to placed up there anyway.

Ye don't deserve to be in the premier ye had your chance to earn it and didn't so shut up acting like its some massive injustice. If they had beaten Dundalk would they be going on about a one tier league so much, not a chance.

**Partizan** · 07/11/2012, 1:48 PM

Latest statement from Waterford.

http://www.wlrfm.com/news-and-sport/...rt/166580.html

**GCdfc** · 07/11/2012, 2:12 PM

Totally clutching at non-existent straws assuming the transfer window closes on Feb 22nd. They are objecting about rule 34b. 34b refers to rule 33 so I have posted both.

RULE 33. REGISTRATION/TRANSFER PERIODS FOR PROFESSIONAL GAME
a) Players may only be registered during one of the two annual Registration Periods fixed by the Association. As an exception to this rule, a Professional whose contract has expired prior to the end of a Registration Period may be registered outside that Registration Period. Leagues are authorised to register such Professionals provided due consideration is given to the sporting integrity of the relevant competition. In case of just cause for termination of a contract, the Association may take provisional measures in order to avoid abuse and in accordance with FIFA regulations.
b) The first Registration Period shall begin after the completion of the season and shall normally end before the new season starts. This period may not exceed twelve weeks. The second Registration Period shall normally occur in the middle of the season and may not exceed four weeks. The two Registration Periods for the season shall be communicated to FIFA at least 12 months before they come into force.
c) Players may only be registered – subject to the exception as foreseen in paragraph 1 of this rule – if an application from the club is validly submitted to the Association during a Registration Period.
d) The provisions concerning Registration Periods do not apply to competitions in which only Amateurs participate.
e) An Amateur Player may be registered on a Professional Contract for the Professional Game during the Professional Registration Periods

RULE 34. REGISTRATION/TRANSFER PERIODS FOR AMATEUR GAME
a) The registration period for the Amateur game, other than the SFAI, shall be 1st June to the 31st of March inclusive for the winter season and 1st of December to the 30th of September inclusive for the Summer Season.
b) The two transfer periods for the Amateur game shall be 1st June to 30th September inclusive and the 1st December to the 31st of January inclusive with the exception of (c) below. However, an Amateur Player may be signed on a Professional Contract for the Professional Game during the Professional Registration Periods.

Source: http://www.fai.ie/agents_info/FAIRuleBook2011.pdf

**Charlie Darwin** · 07/11/2012, 2:16 PM

And there's absolutely no chance Rafter was signed on amateur terms?

**srfc1928** · 07/11/2012, 2:24 PM

Waterford always seem to be cribbing about something.

**GCdfc** · 07/11/2012, 2:24 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

And there's absolutely no chance Rafter was signed on amateur terms?

Here is what dundalkfc.com say in his Rafters player profile: "He went on to join Tipperary club Saint Michael’s for a short spell, before arriving at Oriel Park where he penned a one-year deal in February."

Here is what is said about Shanahan who signed as an amateur: "Shanahan, who signed an amateur contract with the club, benefitted greatly from an FAI-F�S course in Limerick, working under the tutelage of Trevor Lovell."

I'd be quite certain that if Rafter was an amateur it would say it. Sure he wouldn't have been able to afford all the food on an amateur contract!

**pineapple stu** · 07/11/2012, 3:05 PM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

Well it is, if they knew about it pre playoff, it should have been brought up then. The fact they waited until after the playoff shows bad sportsmanship.

Or that they didn't know about it pre-play-off. A whisper or a rumour on the day, which Waterford decided to check into. Not impossible.

It does sound like sour grapes from Waterford, but at the moment, there's nothing in particular to suggest they haven't got a point either.

**Dodge** · 07/11/2012, 3:10 PM

Its fairly simple. If he's amatuer, Dundalk are done.

If he's pro, they're fine.

Surely this could've been checked in 5 minutes by the FAI?

**sadloserkid** · 07/11/2012, 3:53 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Surely this could've been checked in 5 minutes by the FAI?

We would have missed out on all of this speculation then though. THE FAI - putting the fans first and keeping the offseason interesting!

**Fermoy Blue** · 07/11/2012, 4:22 PM

Met Jeff McNamara today, he seems to think that it's SCHADENFREUDE if Dundalk go down over the registration of a player, we just thought it was a good laugh...

**Mr A** · 07/11/2012, 4:26 PM

Dundalk are absolutely grand here, no reason to worry.

Their only problem would come if they'd ever done anything to annoy the FAI, or if Waterford had some powerful ally within the FAI somehow.

**eelmonster** · 07/11/2012, 4:33 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Dundalk are absolutely grand here, no reason to worry.

Their only problem would come if they'd ever done anything to annoy the FAI, or if Waterford had some powerful ally within the FAI somehow.

http://www.stmichaelsfc.com/info.php3

Rafter's former club, where a certain CEO of the fudge factory is honorary life president. His office is on the grassy knoll.

**L.T.F.C.** · 07/11/2012, 4:34 PM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

The fact they waited until after the playoff shows bad sportsmanship.

And??

**Louth4sam** · 07/11/2012, 5:04 PM

Is that the way you'd like to see the league go? Clubs actively trying to screw each other when it doesn't work out for them on the pitch?

**Jofspring** · 07/11/2012, 5:46 PM

Originally Posted by Louth4sam

Is that the way you'd like to see the league go? Clubs actively trying to screw each other when it doesn't work out for them on the pitch?

Well if Dundalk were breaking the rules knowingly or not then its not really screwing them over is it? Surely if Waterford didn't objected it would be them screwed over.

If Dundalk didn't break any rules then its Waterford who are just down 500euro.

I see no problem with this, objections happen all the time in football.