The Irish Football Association’s Women’s Challenge Cup Committee has ruled on protests lodged following the Women’s Challenge Cup quarter-final between Cliftonville Ladies and Linfield Ladies on 16 September.
Linfield FC protested that Cliftonville FC had used two ineligible players in the cup match, which Cliftonville won 7-1.
And Cliftonville FC protested that Linfield FC had listed too many substitutes in the game.
The Women’s Challenge Cup Committee has met to consider the protest letters received from both clubs as well as observations received from the clubs in respect of the protests.
Their rulings in both cases are listed below:
Linfield Ladies Protest
In accordance with Rule 4e of the Women’s Challenge Cup Rules, a player registering with her club after 31 July in any season will not be eligible to play in the competition.
The members of the committee noted that two Cliftonville Ladies players, Nicole Adams and Hannah Doherty, who participated in the match registered for the club on 8 August and 10 August 2022 respectively.
The members agreed that this was a breach of Rule 4e, and in accordance with Rule 3 Cliftonville Ladies be dismissed from the competition and Linfield Ladies be reinstated.
Cliftonville Ladies Protest
In accordance with Rule 6b of the Women’s Challenge Cup Rules, clubs may nominate a maximum of five substitute players, from which only three substitutions shall be permitted.
The members noted that Linfield Ladies nominated six substitutes and made three substitutions in the game.
The members also noted that Cliftonville Ladies nominated seven substitutes and made three substitutions in the game.
Following discussion the committee determined that both clubs had breached Rule 6b and Cliftonville FC’s protest be upheld.
The committee also determined that both Linfield Ladies and Cliftonville Ladies be fined a sum of £25 for a breach of Rule 6b.
Both clubs have the right of appeal.
