Arbitration Decided

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Well, the decision has been made. No replay.

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1428

The eircom League had ruled on October 3 that Bohemian FC should be deducted three points for playing a player while he was suspended in their league game against Shelbourne FC on August 18.

Shelbourne FC appealed this decision and on October 31 the FAI Appeal Board ruled that Bohemian FC be deducted three points and ordered that the match be replayed in the interest of fair play.

The eircom League requested the FAI to refer the matter to arbitration and Mr Collins was appointed as arbitrator. He heard representations from the eircom League, Shelbourne FC, Bohemian FC and the FAI Appeal Board.

Mr Collins ruled that Bohemian FC should be deducted three points but rejected the decision to order a replay.

gimmick

I suppose that is about the best outcome. Pity it is almost 3 months late before it has been decided though.

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Probably the best decision really.

But we could have done with them points after Derry's result last night.

Them feckin' Dublin refs, out to get us they are.

The Rooster

I'm not a Shels supporter, but I can't the logic or fairness in not replaying a match that has been lost when the opposition played an illegal player.

It'd nearly encourage Bohs to play a few more illegals in the final game of the season. A few more penalty points won't matter to Bohs, but I'm sure they'd have great amusement in stopping Shels winning the title!

gimmick

But a replay would be giving Bohs the oppurtunity to regain the points they had been deducted in the first place.

The decision which should have been made first day is awarding Shels a 3-0 win, as is the UEFA precedent.

Third_Echelon

gimmick wrote:

But a replay would be giving Bohs the oppurtunity to regain the points they had been deducted in the first place.

yeah a replay would have been stupid. There would have been no punishment really for bohs if they had won the game...

gimmick wrote:

The decision which should have been made first day is awarding Shels a 3-0 win, as is the UEFA precedent.

Is it the precident though? Is it in a rule book? I'm not say its not the precident, just wondering where you've seen this.

This brings into question though, how much did that suspended player affect the outcome of the game? The game took place and a result was earned. Punishment can be dealt after, but you can't just give points to someone else. They have to be earned on the pitch IMO.

gimmick

^ If im not mistaken, Jason McGuinness had a big part in one of Bohs' goals, possibly giving the assist?

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Third_Echelon wrote:

Is it the precident though? Is it in a rule book? I'm not say its not the precident, just wondering where you've seen this.

This brings into question though, how much did that suspended player affect the outcome of the game? The game took place and a result was earned. Punishment can be dealt after, but you can't just give points to someone else. They have to be earned on the pitch IMO.

I think it was in a game involving one of the Ireland and Albania underage teams - possible U18. I think the Albanians played a suspended player, and UEFA awarded the full points to Ireland.

gimmick wrote:

^ If im not mistaken, Jason McGuinness had a big part in one of Bohs' goals, possibly giving the assist?

Worse than that.

McGuinness played Centre Half in that game, which meant that Fergal Harkin (possibly another player) could play in the centre midfield position. Chances are that if McGuinness had not have played then harkin would have filled in at CH.

McGuinness then went and provided an assist to Harkin to score the winner in the game.

Harkin possibly would not have been in the position to score otherwise.

BUT - at the end of the day that is all conjecture.

Shels were shyte that night, and didn't deserve to win the game.

bucks73

Third_Echelon wrote:

Is it the precident though? Is it in a rule book? I'm not say its not the precident, just wondering where you've seen this.

This brings into question though, how much did that suspended player affect the outcome of the game? The game took place and a result was earned. Punishment can be dealt after, but you can't just give points to someone else. They have to be earned on the pitch IMO.

In Junior football the FAI rules state that a team that fields an illegal player loses the game and the 3 points are awarded to the opposition.

Not really the right decisions by the FAI originally or the arbitrator but its better than having a replay. That would have been ridiculous.

MrJoeSoap

seansouth wrote:

Shels were shyte that night, and didn't deserve to win the game.

Yeah we were. Blew a lead that we probably didn't deserve to get.

I think, in the interest of the league, its probably best that there isn't a replay. If Shels had needed it to win the league then it'd be another hollow victory, but now its black and white, and all down to one game on Friday. Kinda ironic that its Bohs we have to play, and I'm sure they'll want to give it their all. That said, we haven't lost at home in the league in aaaaaaaaaaaaages and I would be extremely hopeful of getting the win we need.

It's going to be yet another great eL title decider.