One particular non league club has been controversially removed from this season’s FA Vase competition, with many claiming it harsh.
Petersfield Town have been disqualified from the FA Vase due to a technical, unforeseen breach of the competition rules meaning the Rams are no longer permitted to compete this year.
Because of this, it is now confirmed that Petersfield’s opponents Clapton who will host Hamworthy United in the second round.
Petersfield beat Clapton 3-0 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in normal time of the First Round clash.
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PETERSFIELD TOWN STATEMENT
The FA have removed the Rams from the FA Vase due to a technical breach of the competition rules, which meant that one of our players who played in the tie at Clapton was ineligible.
Recent signing Joshua Kraus joined the club having moved into the area. His previous club was Ilford. Having carried out background checks we were satisfied he was eligible to sign.
After the FA Vase tie Clapton lodged a complaint with the FA to the effect that he did not have International Clearance following a spell playing in Germany, prior to his time at Ilford.
As far as we were aware, after playing for Ilford in the Essex Senior League, the FA Cup and the FA Vase last season, International Clearance should have been sought during Joshua’s time there. Ilford seemingly didn’t suffer the same fate in any competitions which led us to believe after our own background checks that all was in good order.
The FA found that the detail in Clapton’s complaint was correct which led to the Rams being charged.
The club put in a robust defence and the FA accepted there was no deception on our part, but the rules had been broken, albeit inadvertently, so awarded the tie to Clapton.
Due to the mitigating circumstances no fines have been imposed on the club.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
There were a number of clubs who were forced to forfeit their place in the competition for various reasons, the majority however due to a player/staff contracting coronavirus.
Those to have had no choice but to leave the FA Vase so far as follows:
– FC Isle of Man (AFC Liverpool walkover) – First Qualifying Round
– Southwick (Seaford Town walkover) – First Qualifying Round
– Greenwich Borough (Cobham walkover) – First Qualifying Round
– Shelley Community (Bootle walkover) – Second Qualifying Round
– Exmouth Town (Sherborne Town walkover) – Second Qualifying Round
– Cadbury Heath (Ashton & Backwell United walkover) – Second Qualifying Round
– Jersey Bull (Cobham walkover) – First Round Proper
– Petersfield Town (Clapton advance)
Due to coronavirus lockdown rules, some ties were played behind closed doors or restricted amount of spectators, though for some clubs, they had their biggest ever attendance.
Take a look at how the First Round Proper played out by clicking HERE.
Fans took to Twitter to react on the non league club being controversially removed from the FA Vase…
Ludicrous. And didn’t the FA order a FA Cup tie to be replayed when this happened to someone last year, rather than kick them out?
— Fareham Town (@farehamtownfc) November 20, 2020
That’s incredible. A ridiculous technical detail. Would love to know why @ClaptonFootball even reported that. Seems very mean spirited against a fellow amateur club. @claptonfcnews
— Chris Silvester (@ChrisSilvestr) November 20, 2020
Epsom & Ewell were allowed to replay a fixture in an earlier round for playing an ineligible player !! Double standards
— Dean Phillips (@dmpplumbing) November 21, 2020
@WorthingUtdFC have to replay their game after their opponents fielded an illegible player.
why haven’t you at least had to replay your game
— Lee Roberts (@leerobertsmedia) November 21, 2020
How on earth were you supposed to know that? Ludicrous decision
— Hopping Around Hants (@AndrewRocklob) November 20, 2020
Sore losers
— Lee callan (@leecallan79) November 20, 2020
Might be sounding ignorant but Clapton seem sore losers
— Michael (@Michael1898_) November 20, 2020
The international clears remain an ass and the fact there is no checkable database a joke.
— Football in Berkshire 🏡 (@fiberkshire) November 21, 2020
I don’t know the circumstances of Edgware but sadly for Petersfield it’s a fair cop. It’s the same as with Grays last season – don’t assume that he must have been cleared by his previous club just because they weren’t found out.
— Derek Robinson (@twofatfeet) November 21, 2020
I don’t understand why the rules differ. I’ve seen a team having te replay their tie because their opponent fielded an ineligible player yet some teams get kicked out? 🤔
— MunchMagic (@MxnchMxgic) November 20, 2020
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