Early in March, Connah’s Quay Nomads was hit with an 18-point deduction. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) said they were found to have breached two disciplinary charges.
Nomads, who have won the title in each of the last two seasons, were found to have breached two disciplinary charges in relation to the signings of two players and the deduction dropped the Deeside Stadium outfit to second-bottom in the table, and users of best online casino au won’t be too pleased about it.
The consequence was that Caernarfon Town took their place in the top six. They joined Cardiff Met, Aberystwyth Town, Barry Town United, Haverfordwest County and Cefn Druids in the Play-Off Conference.
It was found that contrary to Cymru Premier Rule 12.6(b), two players were registered to List A after the closure of the first Professional Registration period but before the opening of the second in the 2021/2022 season.
It was further found that contrary to Cymru Premier Rule 14.1, the second player played in six (6) JD Cymru Premier matches when he was therefore an ineligible player.
In his summary of decision, Mr Williams Norris, appointed as the sole independent arbitrator by Sports Resolutions who provide independent dispute resolution services, detailed the following decisions: “I find that both charges have been proved.
“I fully accept that the Club attempted to register Player A on the evening of August 31, 2021 and believed it had done so before the window closed at midnight having submitted documentation via the COMET system at 21:50 BST.
“However, I find that, while the Club thought it had uploaded Mr Mendes’s contract (which I accept he had signed by then), it had not in fact done so. As a consequence, the attempted registration was rejected, notification of which was sent to the Club at 23:24 (by email).
“Unfortunately, no-one at the Club was checking that the process had been successfully completed which, of course, may be understandable in one sense given the lateness of the hour.
“Nevertheless, that was an unfortunate and regrettable omission in circumstances where compliance with the requirements of registration is critically important and when the registration was being made very late in the transfer window.
“The sanction that I must and do impose is that the Club will have 18 points deducted. Given the circumstances in which the breaches of the Rules have occurred and what I appreciate are very serious sporting and commercial consequences for a successful and important club in Welsh football which is run, as I accept, by good hard-working people, I do not consider it appropriate to impose any fine or fines in addition.”
Responding to the punishment handed out by the FA of Wales, Director of Football Jay Catton tweeted: “An extremely disappointing day for all at @the_nomads no doubt. But in the face of controversy, injustice and adversity we embrace the challenge that now presents itself. Big task ahead but one we tackle to overcome, together as players, staff, committee and fans.”
Since then, Nomads have played two matches. They picked up a point at Cardiff Met and grabbed the maximum against Barry thanks to two second-half goals, having been backed with odds from real money pokies online.
Despite four points from a possible six, Nomads are still second from the bottom. However, the former champions are just three and six points away from Barry and Aberystwyth.
