Faulkland rue JFF sanction

After defeating now promoted Molynes United FC 3-1 to end their unbeaten run in the JFF Premier League Play-offs last Wednesday at Jarrett Park, Faulkland FC were hours later stripped of the points having deemed to have breached competition rules in using an ineligible player.

Many fingers have been pointed at the western champions management since the sanction was handed down last week and the tension could be felt in their 7-3 defeat to Wadadah on Sunday at Jarrett Park. Coach Gregory Palmer said JFF blundered and it is unfortunate himself and the club have been put in a sticky situation.

"As you know, people would be upset, angry and sad. Those were some of the emotions expressed by the players. However, JFF made a big blunder and don't want to own it. Normally, it's three yellow cards we know about. Firstly, they didn't give us something in writing stating competition rules and regulations, so therefore we would be going off the ones, that govern the Western Confederation Super League," Palmer said.

"We had two players that were on two yellow cards. We got a correspondence 48 hours before the match as usual. They only stated that Shavar Watkins who got a straight red can't play. However, they send out Molynes correspondence for their player who is on yellow and can't play. They send out all the correspondence before for every team who is on yellow and red cards and cannot play but for that particular match they did not state that we have three players that can't play. They only sent one name. I was of the premise that it's three yellow cards, hence the players were played," he added.

Unfortunate situation

"They are saying they said it at a meeting but at this level, you can't be using word of mouth. You have to put things in writing. Every competition is three cards. I don't know why we have two cards for this competition which is a follow-up to these competitions. It's just a sticky and unfortunate situation."

When asked about them being more responsible to avoid such mess and fingers being pointed at the management staff, Palmer told STAR Sports they wouldn't have known.

"If we think it is three there is no way we could have known. I wouldn't want to put the club in any jeopardy any at all and people know that I am a man of decorum, diplomacy, and integrity. All the persons that are talking we just have to understand that they are angry and their emotions are coming into play," Palmer said.