Wexford fined and Shelbourne game forfeited over ineligible player mix-up

Wexford have been fined and forfeited the game after they were found to have fielded an ineligible player in Friday's First Division fixture with Shelbourne.

The match at Ferrcarrig Park on Friday evening finished 1-1 after Wexford's 17-year-old striker cancelled out James Brown's first half opener.

However the club have now been informed by the FAI that they were in breach of Clause 14.14 of the League of Ireland Participation Agreement.

Wexford were found to have fielded in error goalkeeper Colum Feeney, a late call-up in place of the ill Danny Bolger, whom they hadn't registered for the senior team in time despite his being on the books of their under-17s.

The result has been overturned to a 3-0 victory for Shelbourne and the club issued with a fine.

The awarding of three points to Shelbourne leaves the Reds just a point behind fourth-place Cabinteely with the two set to meet at Tolka Park on the final day in ten days' time.

Wexford FC statement:

Wexford FC were today advised by the FAI Disciplinary Committee that the club was found in breach of Clause 14.14 of the Participation Agreement, i.e. of playing an ineligible player in last Friday's home match against Shelbourne.

The player in question was our Under 17 goalkeeper, whom we had applied to register to the senior squad last week in advance of the game, when it became known that our first team goalkeeper was ill. Regrettably, we were advised that it was too late to do so and due to an administrative error, this information was not passed on to the team management.

Consequently, the club has been fined and the points awarded to Shelbourne.

We hugely regret this turn of events and will make every effort to ensure it does not happen again.  We would like to apologise to the team management, our players, all our supporters and everyone connected to the club.