[Romire]

Time is running out for St Patrick’s Athletic and Shelbourne to reach agreement on the possibility of a play-off for the eircom League Premier Division title according to FAI General Secretary Brendan Menton.

The idea - floated over the weekend - of a two-leg play-off which, it was hoped, would help decide the title on the field of play, was still being discussed behind the scenes by both clubs.

But Menton feels that a decision will have to be made sooner rather than later, given that the appeal into St Pat’s loss of 15 points over the late registration of Livingstone Mbabazi will take place on Friday.

"The appeal board will convene on Friday to consider St Pat's appeal over the loss of 15 points. We're aware of other avenues, such as arbitration, but in most cases, the FAI appeal board is the last port of call," he said.

Menton will wait to hear from both parties until later today but it is thought that he has placed a limit on the issue and will not allow it linger beyond the next 24 hours.

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Well I don't know what the likelyhood of this happening is but I think St. Patrick losing 15 points and the entire championship over registration confusion is a bit harsh. That and it would certainly make things exciting. Ah contraversy, throw in bought refs and corruption and you've got the Romanian League

 

[leeds_utd_lad]

lol:tongue: 15 points is very harsh. I hope it comes down to a play off, more exciting...

 

[Dónal]

Looks like the play-off won't happen, as most of the other teams wouldn't agree to it.

 

[Badge]

a real joke this whole thing. give the trophy to Pats tonight in Richmond. They are the real champions.

The Black Pearl is playing tonight too. That should get the crowd in (for Osams testimonial).

Will miss the final on sunday too whcih is a pisser. Go on the Bohs!!

 

[leeds_utd_lad]

a real joke this whole thing. give the trophy to Pats tonight in Richmond. They are the real champions.

Ha Ha! No way! the Rovers are the Champions, they deserve it...

 

[Romire]

St Patrick's Ath issue statement

Tonight, St Patrick's Athletic have issued a statement following the decision of the FAI Appeal Board to uphold the League decision to deduct 15 points in the "Mbabazi Affair" and thus deprive them of the championship.


"St Patrick's Athletic Football Club are studying the decision of the FAI Appeals Board received today.

We note that within the Appeal Board's decision, Mr Brendan J Menton, General Secretary of the FAI has stated that there is a firm commitment by the eircom League to "a full investigation of all players' registrations for the current season, and where it is found that players had played in any eircom League matches in contravention of Rule 16A, then the rule in full shall be applied."

St Patrick's Athletic have been singled out for an alleged breach of this rule in advance of the investigation being completed. We expect that this investigation will be conducted in a fair, independent and transparent manner."

At no time have St Patrick's Athletic FC sought to gain an advantage on the field of play. In September the commissioner made the decision not to deal with registration problems because of the chaotic state of registrations and in the spirit of fair play. Shelbourne FC refused to accept this and demanded that Rule 16A be enforced unilaterally against St Patrick's Athletic FC.

The decision of the Officers of the eircom League and of the Appeal Board (see enclosed documents), will clarify the situation for all clubs.

Due to the significant implications and repercussions of the investigation and in the spirit of fair play, there should be no attempt to fudge. The commitment to apply Rule 16A in its entirety, to all players' registrations must be honoured and not applied in an à la carte fashion.

St Patrick's Athletic FC won the League in season 2001/02 by five clear points, scoring the most goals (59), with the best disciplinary record in the League, including not having one player suspended or sent-off during the entire season.

We have no desire to see any team deducted points but natural justice will only prevail when a vigorous and independent investigation takes place.

Independant investigations aside its all over but the crying. Well it looks like Shel's refusal to let this thing drop ultimately won them the championship.

 

[leeds_utd_lad]

Yep, and good on em' too!!!