11 Dec 2008Elgin and Spartans to replay cup tie

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

The Scottish FA has ordered a replay of the Scottish Cup third-round tie between Elgin City and Spartans after a City player was found to have played without the required clearance.

Goalkeeper Joe Malin was still registered with Ross County on November 29th, the date when the match was originally scheduled.

This meant he was ineligible for the contest when it was eventually played last Saturday (December 6th) even though he was a fully-fledged member of the Elgin City team at the time.

Spartans therefore lodged a complaint in the wake of the match, which Elgin City won 2-1, and when the complaint was upheld the SFA duly scheduled a replay for Monday, December 15th.

Scottish Cup rules clearly state that Elgin City were in the wrong.

"When a match is postponed, drawn or abandoned, is played or replayed, only those players who were eligible by means of their registration at the date fixed for originally playing the round may play," Section 15 (b): Eligibility of Players of the document states.

Elgin City currently play in the Scottish Third Division, while Spartans are members of the East of Scotland Football League.

© Copyright