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FA orders FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie to be replayed after referee mistake

The FA orders the Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie between Mulbarton and Woodford to be replayed after a mistake by the referee.

Mulbarton Wanderers say they have been left ‘deeply upset and disappointed’ after the Football Association ruled that the match must be played again following a protest lodged over the application of Law 14.

Ollie Sotoyinbo thought he had put Woodford in front with a penalty, only to see it disallowed, with an indirect free-kick awarded to Mulbarton for encroachment.

Now the replay will take place on Tuesday, the 29th of September, with the winners to play host to Gloucester City in the Third Qualifying Round.

Photo Credit – @bogie_david

Mulbarton said in a statement: “Following the conclusion of our FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round fixture versus Woodford Town on Saturday 19th September, a protest was lodged with the FA by Woodford Town regarding a decision made by the referee during the 30th minute of the match.

“The referee awarded Woodford a penalty kick which was scored. The referee then blew his whistle and awarded Mulbarton Wanderers an indirect free kick due to the encroachment of a number of Woodford players into the penalty area. This was an incorrect application of the competition rules under Law 14. In these circumstances, the referee should have allowed the goal to stand or ordered a retake.

“In response to Woodford’s protest, the FA initially stated that a protest for misapplication of the rules in this regard was not permissible. We concur with the FA’s initial findings.

“However, following further objection and protest from Woodford, the FA referred the matter to a sub-committee of the Professional Game Board.

“After seeking legal advice ahead of the meeting of the sub-committee, the club made robust representations to the FA setting out why the result should stand.

“Today, following the meeting of the sub-committee, we have been informed that it has been ordered that the 2nd Qualifying Round fixture is to be replayed at the Abode Arena on Tuesday 29th September.

“The club is deeply upset and disappointed by this decision, the impact that it will have upon our football club, and the potential wider implications regarding the finality of results for any FA Cup match in the future played by any team and the integrity of the game as a whole.

“The decision made by the sub-committee is final and binding and there is no right of appeal.

“We will be in touch with all fans who have already purchased tickets for the 3rd Round in due course.”

Woodford Town wrote: “Following our fixture against Mulbarton Wanderers in the Second Qualifying Round on Saturday, 19 September, the Club raised concerns regarding the application of Law 14 after a penalty awarded to Woodford was scored but subsequently disallowed, with an indirect free-kick awarded to the opposition for encroachment.

“The matter was subsequently reviewed by an FA Sub-Committee, with correspondence and video footage from Woodford Town, information from Mulbarton Wanderers, observations from the match officials and comments from the FA Referees Team and Head of Refereeing all considered.

“The Sub-Committee concluded that a technical error had been made by the referee, determining that the correct outcome under Law 14 should have been either the awarding of the goal or the ordering of a penalty retake.

“As a result, the FA has ruled that the original fixture was not completed in accordance with the 2026/27 FA Cup Rules, and has ordered the match to be replayed in its entirety.

“The replay is currently scheduled for Tuesday 29 September at 7:45pm. The tie will take place at Mulbarton’s Abode Arena, and will be decided on the night, with extra-time and penalties to be used if necessary.

“Woodford Town FC would like to thank The FA for its thorough consideration of the matter, and for reaching a decision that ensures the tie can be concluded in accordance with FA Cup rules.

“Our focus now turns to Saturday’s fixture at home against Harwich & Parkeston in the Essex Senior League, before we turn our attentions to Tuesday and the opportunity to compete once again for a place in the Third Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup.

“The winners will face Gloucester City at home, on Saturday, 3rd October.”

Here’s how social media users reacted as the FA orders the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie to be replayed after a mistake by the referee…

Mulbarton volunteer chair @GrahamBuntingUK: We’re all are obviously disappointed to have to replay this tie, particularly when it is of no fault on the part of the club at all. We move on prepare fully for the match and produce the result you as fans deserve. So come in numbers, support us, and celebrate a win šŸ–¤šŸ’™

Cornard United manager @CameronScorer: This sets a very dangerous precedent! Weā€™ve been robbed this season by some shocking decisions – can we replay those games? Mulbarton knocked us out the FA Cup in the round before but I am hoping they rightfully go through!

@RoseMarcrose69: Being there that day following woodford when the pen was disallowed no one knew what had happened. the ref made a mistake and there should be no replay not fair either way you look at it.

@SnodlandFc: @FA can we send in our veo of the non pen that knocked out @snodlandtownfc @SCEFLeague. Let us know the address

@DerehamTown: Shocking – what an awful precedent to set. Good luck in the ā€˜replayā€™ šŸ–¤šŸ¤ Awful decision here. The age of running your Veo footage through AI looking for the ā€˜breaking of laws of the gameā€™ is born. šŸ«£

@NonLeagueCrowd: Any precedent @FACupFactfile?

@FACupFactfile: Not for this reason that I’m aware of, but yes games have been re-played for other bad rule applications, often concerning whether extra time should have or shouldn’t have been played!

@DarranPearce: Amazing how many people donā€™t understand what has happened here. The ref didnā€™t follow the laws of the game and similar incidents of that happening has led to replays. It is nothing like an objective decision like if itā€™s a red card, if a throw in gets given to the wrong team or if the ball has gone over the line. So no it doesnā€™t set a dangerous precedent at all

@RussWWFC: Bizarre decision from the FA, errors happen in every game.

@fusionjosh_: So every error a referee makes will now result in a replay? Only fair after this. Shocking… and after a quality 3rd round qualifying draw for Mulbarton where the revenue would’ve been so significant, A referee error has now punished an entire football club. Wow

@fpl_tactician: Hold your chips guys! If a referee makes an error in the game, the game might be replayed.

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