From what I have been told it's an administrative error. But it could cost them 9 PTS. They are going to need a lot of mitigating circumstances to get out of it
Haywards Heath Town Football Club have been charged by the Football Association for fielding an ineligible player last season
Heath, who finished top of the Southern Combination League Premier Division, were under investigation for playing an individual while allegedly under a 'Sine Die' suspension.
A full investigation was conducted by both Sussex FA and the FA with a misconduct charge now issued to Haywards Heath.
This could now open the door for Shoreham Football Club to gain promotion to the Ryman League. Mussels, who finished four points behind Heath in second, could well leapfrog Shaun Saunders' side if a points deduction is issued.
A full statement from the Sussex FA read: "The Sussex County FA in conjunction with the London FA, have carried out a full investigation into the allegation.
"As a result both player and the club have been charged with misconduct and we are awaiting their responses to these charges."
From yesterdays Observer -
The Sussex FA have released the following statement following yesterday's FA hearing with Haywards Heath Town. “Following the hearing for Melford Simpson and Haywards Heath Town FC yesterday, please find details of the findings received from the Football Association.
The Disciplinary Commission, after considering the written and verbal evidence found the charges of FA Rule E10 against Melford Simpson and FA Rule E12 against the Club proven. Taking into consideration aggravating and mitigating factors the Commission imposed the following:
- Melford Simpson shall be suspended from Monday 22nd May 2017 until such time as Haywards Heath Town FC have played and completed 1 qualifying fixture for suspensions and be fined the sum of £20
- Haywards Heath Town FC were warned as to their future conduct
- The hearing fees shall be retained and there was no order made as to costs
- These decisions are final and binding
This concludes the disciplinary process and Sussex County FA involvement in the matter.”
A meeting with Heath and the SCFL committee is expected to take place next week to determine the punishment.
Haywards Heath Town have been handed a NINE point deduction after an SCFL hearing tonight (Monday).
Heath had a charge of misconduct upheld by the FA last week. A statement on the club's website said: "An SCFL hearing Heath were fined £50 and issued with a 9 league point deduction for the three matches that Melford Simpson played in while unknowingly being placed on sine die by Fisher FC for a £10 club fine.
"The club now have 14 days to appeal the punishment handed down to them by taking it the FA.
"The club are obviously very disappointed with the decision."
Seems very harsh but then that's what you get in the semi pro game. Semi pro generally means part time and it must be a nightmare keeping up with all these things that can come back to haunt you . A season wrecked because of an unpaid fine of 10 quid at another club.
Not harsh at all if Haywards Heath had done the appropriate checks this would probably have been avoided. However, i dont understand how it wasnt discovered after match return was entered the 1st time. Bet they appeal
It's cruel to apply this punishment so long after the offence & days after HH had been included in the Isthmian League lineup. Fair enough, it's an infringement which needed action, but that action needed to be taken as soon as it was flagged up.
I feel bad for the HH supporters, but Shoreham's a trip I can probably manage!
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Precisely my point Chris, making all the appropriate checks when doing the job presumably part time (and maybe unpaid) cannot be easy. And if, as other posts indicate, all this happened way back in the season, why has it taken so long to highlight it and take action? Not the first time a season has been wrecked this way either. Thurrock a few years back for example.
Simon this happened at the beginning of April he was a deadline day signing or close to it. These share of debts fines take a while to go through so no issue there. Like I said only issue to me is why league didn't pick it up on 1st match return.
Ok. Once again it shows the need for a system in place that highlights outstanding fines, disciplinary issues etc in order to prevent a player's new club unwittingly 'inheriting' problems that can come back to haunt them. But then wouldn't it be standard to at least contact a new player's last club to see if there were any outstanding issues - like unpaid fines? All this seems to be over a lousy tenner!
There is a computer system in place that you can check a players current status on and this is available to all clubs. So if Haywards Heath checked this it should have been clear. But I understand there were other issues I can't really put them on here because it only what I have been told.
This one is slightly different he may not have known. It was a ban for not paying a £10 pro rata amount for debts from a club that folded. If he had since moved then he would not have received a letter. However, it is possible for a club to check if a player is banned by accessing a website.
