Archived News from March 2007
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CLARIFICATION OF ACCRINGTON POINTS
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Two stories below show that Accrington face the possibility of points deduction for fielding an ineligible player in two games, one of which was the 3-2 game against Mansfield.
Reports today suggested that the Stags could pick up an extra 3 points because of this. This is not correct. Accrington may indeed have points deducted (as the Stags did for the Calderwood incident in the early 1980s), but the points will not be awarded to the opposition. That has never happened in the Football League. To summarise, there is no possibility of the points being awarded to Mansfield Town. Martin Shaw & Svante Bernhard (aka Sweden Stag) ----------- Accrington hit with League charge BBC.co.uk Accrington Stanley have confirmed they have been charged by the Football League for fielding ineligible players. Preston youth team striker, Chris McGrail played twice for Stanley when on work experience at the club and registered as a scholar with North End. McGrail, 17, appeared as a substitute in Accrington's 3-2 win over Mansfield on 16 January and in Stanley's 1-1 draw with Wycombe on 20 January. The other game and player are unknown at this stage. The League Two club could now be facing the possibility of being deducted points. Already this season AFC Wimbledon have been deducted 18 points for playing an ineligible player and Bury were kicked out of the FA Cup for the same reason. A statement on Accrington's official website read: "Issues surrounding the registration of players is a complex matter. "The club considers the charges to be technical issues and will submit a detailed defence to the disciplinary commission hearing early next month. "Accrington Stanley Football Club is taking expert advice in this matter and can assure supporters that they will take every available option open to them to ensure that League status is maintained. "The club will make no further comment at the present time." -------------- Accrington face damaging points deduction soccernet.espn.go.com Accrington Stanley chief executive Rob Heys insists the club are 'optimistic of a satisfactory outcome' after being charged with fielding unregistered players. The charges relate to Stanley fielding two unregistered players in three matches with Preston youngster Chris McGrail, who was at the club on work experience, understood to be one of the two. The charges will be heard by a Football Disciplinary Commission, chaired by an independent body and with a representative from Accrington and one from the Football League, in around a month. The commission has a full range of powers which include docking points, leaving Stanley, already battling relegation from League Two, potentially facing a crisis. Heys is adamant Stanley will do everything possible to defend themselves. He said: 'We've taken professional advice to help us along and they've advised us not to say too much. 'We're optimistic that we'll get a fair hearing and the outcome will be satisfactory. 'It's in the hands of the powers-that-be now and we've just got to concentrate on the last 10 games of the season.' A points deduction would be a major blow to Stanley, who only returned to the league this season after a 44-year absence. John Coleman's side are currently 21st in League Two, three points above second-bottom Boston. Last season, Bury were deducted one point for fielding Sheffield United's Colin Marrison as a substitute in the 1-1 draw at Lincoln after his loan deal expired. While the other player subject to the charge remains unidentified, McGrail came off the bench in Stanley's 3-2 win over Mansfield and the 1-1 draw with Wycombe in January. ---------------- |
Latest | March 2007