GFC anger at GFA

GUERNSEY FC are quietly spitting feathers with the Guernsey Football Association over a blunder which will cost them three Combined Counties League Division One points.

The Green Lions defeated CB Hounslow United 2-0 on Saturday, but it has emerged that Kieran Mahon was ineligible to play.

He was sent off for North against Vale Rec on Friday 10 February, meaning he had a two-match suspension starting last Friday (21 days later), which includes all CCL football in that time.

However, contrary to past practice, we understand the GFA did not make Mahon, North or GFC aware of the ban, meaning the midfielder played the full 90 minutes at Footes Lane.

Guernsey FC issued a statement to the Guernsey Press this morning, and it is printed in full, below...

'Guernsey Football Club wishes to make clear the circumstances which led to a suspended player being fielded in the Combined Counties Football League Division 1 match versus C B Hounslow Utd on Saturday 3rd March 2012.

'The club became aware of the suspension on Sunday 4th March when GFC Football Secretary Mark Le Tissier was undertaking a routine check of the club's disciplinary records against those on the FA's disciplinary website and observed that Kieran Mahon was suspended from 2nd March 2012.

'This suspension related to Kieran Mahon being sent off having received 2 yellow cards in a Priaulx League fixture for Northerners on 10th February 2012 for which he would receive a 2 match suspension; ordinarily this offence attracts a 1 match ban, however as this was the player's second offence of this nature this season, he received a 2 match ban. To clarify, the ban is from both Northerners and Guernsey FC games and is only regarded as served once he has missed two Northerners' first team games.

'Guernsey FC informed the Combined Counties Football League Secretary, Alan Constable, on Monday 4th March of the circumstances and requested that the league's Management Committee deal with the matter at its monthly meeting that same evening. Guernsey FC accepted that it is responsible for ensuring it does not play suspended players and will abide by the sanctions set out in the League Rules.

'Mr Constable was grateful and commended the club for advising the League of the error.

'Ultimately, whilst it is the club's responsibility not to play a suspended player, it is unlikely that this would have occurred if the Guernsey Football Association had processed the standard disciplinary paperwork in a timely fashion and, having not received such paperwork from the Guernsey FA, Northerners had asked the Guernsey FA within 10 days of the game, why it had not received notification of the suspension, as the FA's Discipline Handbook states clubs must do.

'Guernsey FC would normally expect to receive a list of suspended players from the Guernsey FA on a weekly basis together with any paperwork for cautions or sending offs, as has been the case earlier this season. Unfortunately, Guernsey FC understands that the Guernsey FA did not process any disciplinary matters between 10th February and 2nd March, therefore the suspension was not brought to the club's attention in this manner, the list of suspensions was received by Guernsey FC by post on Monday 5th March. Similarly, we understand that the relevant disciplinary paperwork in this case was handed to Northerners on Monday 5th March, some three days after the commencement of the suspension and some two days after Guernsey FC's game against CB Hounslow United.

'GFC Football Secretary Mark Le Tissier said, "Guernsey FC is extremely disappointed that given that the Guernsey FA had not processed any disciplinary cases for 3 weeks, it did not contact either Northerners AC or Guernsey FC to advise them of the suspension - even though the County Association is not obliged to do so, the club feels this would have been the level of service we should expect from our County FA in these circumstances.

'Le Tissier continued, "It is vitally important that we all get behind the team for the remainder of the season with renewed enthusiasm the team will need your support to ensure that Guernsey F C is successful in its quest to win the Combined Counties League Division 1 and gain promotion in its inaugural season."

'Club Chairman Steve Dewsnip added, "Guernsey FC apologies to all its players, coaches, sponsors, supporters and volunteers for the situation in which it now finds itself. Although most of the circumstances leading up to where we now find ourselves were beyond our club's control, we nevertheless take responsibility for the inevitable and standard three points' deduction and £100 fine as the League's rules in this regard are what we must abide by."

'He went on, "It is extremely disappointing that football on this island has shot itself in the foot in this way and once again this situation could have been avoided by interested parties within Guernsey football choosing to communicate and work together which, alas, has once again not happened. Given the big following that the Green Lions have created in the UK and further afield, this embarrassment for the club and the island regrettably is spread far beyond our shores."

'The club can also confirm that it has been drawn at home in the Semi-Finals of the CCL Premier Challenge Cup against the winners of the Guildford City v Badshot Lea quarter final tie. The date of the semi final match, which could potentially see the visit of the current CCL Premier League leaders Guildford City to Footes Lane, is yet to be confirmed.'