Wexford and Kerry suffer points deductions after probe into ineligible players
POINTS DEDUCTION: Former Republic of Ireland international Stephen Elliott and Wexford FC were hit. Pic credit: Wexford FC.
Three League of Ireland clubs have been sanctioned by the FAI with Wexford and Kerry both suffering three-point deductions over player registration issues
Wexford’s 3-0 win over UCD has been overturned to the opposite scoreline following FAI disciplinary cases into two opening-night League of Ireland First Division fixtures.
The Independent Disciplinary Committee cases on player eligibility found that Wexford FC fielded an ineligible player, Darragh Dunne, in the game on February 13.
Although goals at the UCD Bowl by James Crawford, Aaron Dobbs and Luke Kehir seemed to give former Ireland international Stephen Elliott the perfect start to his managerial career, suspicions were raised about eligibility. As a result of the decision announced on Wednesday afternoon, UCD jump from the foot of the table into fifth arising from the reversal of points.
Similarly on the same night, the probe found that Kerry FC fielded an ineligible player, Stevan Stanic-Floody, and Finn Harps FC fielded an ineligible player, Gavin Hodgins, in their fixture versus each other.
That game at Mounthawk Park finished in a 2-0 victory for Kerry yet, as the result of this fixture is annulled, the scoreline is void and neither team will receive any points.
Both decisions are subject to appeal.
