22 Jan 2010Dunfermline handed Scottish Cup reprieve

Football Clubs News | Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

Dunfermline's expulsion from the Scottish Cup has been overturned following a successful appeal by the club.

The Pars were thrown out of the competition by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) after fielding an ineligible player during their 7-1 victory over Stenhousemuir earlier this month.

However, an independent panel heard Dunfermline's appeal at Hampden yesterday (January 21st) and ruled that the punishment was excessive.

The Fife club will now replay their fourth-round tie against Stenhousemuir and pay a fine of approximately £30,000.

"We can still only apologise to the Dunfermline fans that we are in this situation, but we are delighted that we are still in the cup," said Jim Leishman, director of football at Dunfermline.

The replay will take place at Stenhousemuir's Ochilview ground, with a home tie against Celtic on offer for the winner.

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith said that he was "surprised" by the appeal panel's decision to overturn the expulsion.

Written by Mark Thompson

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