First Division Wexford found guilty of fielding an ineligible player

First Division Wexford have been found guilty of fielding an ineligible player in four previously played league games.

A statement from the Football Association of Ireland read: “The Football Association of Ireland Appeal Committee have found Wexford FC in breach of fielding an ineligible player in four First Division matches.”

The statement added: “The committee found Wexford in breach of Clause 14.14 of Schedule 1 of the Participation Agreement that an ineligible player was fielded in the following matches.

The games impacted are Athlone Town v Wexford (31/07/20), Wexford v Cabinteely (07/08/20), Shamrock Rovers II v Wexford (15/08/20) and Cobh Ramblers v Wexford (18/08/20).

As a result, the Appeals Committee have found that Wexford are to forfeit the four games 3-0.

However, the Slaneysiders have issued a statement saying that they are ‘astounded’ at the decision made.

“Wexford FC is astounded at the decision of the Appeals Committee to find against the club in this case,” Wexford FC said in a statement.

“This process is going on for c 6 weeks now during which we have been through an internal FAI investigation, a FIFA investigation and a Disciplinary Hearing all of which found unequivocally that Wexford FC acted in good faith and properly at all times, and that no sanction was appropriate.

“A valid transfer certificate was issued by the English FA in July and the players registration to the club confirmed by the FAI.

“At the end of August, we were advised by the FA that they had made an error in issuing the certificate and wished to cancel the transfer.



“The player was immediately stood down but had played 4 games by that stage. All reasonable procedures had been followed by the club, a fact borne out by the FAI, FIFA & the Disciplinary Hearing.

“We do not wish to go into further detail at this time as we are preparing to go to Arbitration on the matter, but we will do so at an appropriate time.”