Newport Corinthians thought they were safe in the Ardal South East League but the FAW has deducted them 18 points over a disciplinary issue
A Welsh football club escaped relegation in last-day drama but the FAW has relegated them anyway over a disciplinary issue in what the club has described as a “catastrophic outcome”.
Newport Corinthians drew 0-0 with Abercarn at Coronation Park in the shadow of the city’s transporter bridge on Saturday afternoon which appeared to be enough to see them safe in the Ardal South East League.
But celebrations have been put on hold because the FAW has told the club they are deducting Corinthians 18 points over failing to properly register a player during the season.
In a statement on Sunday the club didn’t deny the allegation but said they hoped they would be treated fairly.
The club explained the decision to deduct so many points which will relegate them from the league will have a significant impact on the club’s youth teams, reserves, and supporters.
In a statement on Sunday they said: “Over the past few days Newport Corinthians AFC has been at the centre of a disciplinary ruling by the FAW resulting in an 18-point deduction from the Ardal South East League.
“The decision stems from an administrative error regarding the registration of a player earlier this season. We want to be clear: there was no attempt to deceive or gain an unfair advantage.”
Corinthians, who are appealing the deduction, earned nine wins and five draws during the season meaning they should have 32 points.
But the table now reads that the side have 14 points and will, as it stands, end the season rock bottom and fall out of the Welsh football league system and into the amateur regional leagues.
Corinthians added: “We firmly believe sporting competitions should be decided on sporting merit and that administrative errors should not result in catastrophic sporting outcomes – particularly in the context of an amateur club built on community, volunteers, and player development.
“The impact of this sanction is significant not just on our senior side but across the entire club – our reserves, youth teams, volunteers, and supporters who have worked so hard to build something special over the past few years.
“That’s why we are fighting to have this outcome reviewed and we are hopeful that the appeal process will recognise the context and fairness we believe is missing from the initial decision.”
Started in 1961, the Corries are now one of Wales’ biggest grassroots football clubs with 28 teams and more than 450 players.
