Joes reinstated after 'excessive' ruling

12:38pm Saturday 17th May 2008

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THE Herts FA is on collision course with the Watford Sunday League after sensationally reinstating St Josephs into the Turner Trophies Challenge Cup.

The Premier Division outfit were thrown out of the competition and fined by the league after failing to control their spectators following their 1-0 quarter final win over Met Police Bushey (OGB). However, after seeing their initial appeal rejected by the league St Joes took the matter to the county FA, who upheld their complaint following a hearing at its Letchworth headquarters.

Herts FA Commission members, after seeking advice from Soho Square, agreed with St Joes that the punishment was excessive and ordered the league, which they refer to as The South West Herts Football Association, to restore the club in the cup.

The commission stated the league had acted within their rules and had come to a decision "fairly based on the evidence they had before them". However, they deemed the original £200 fine as too steep and felt the reduced amount of £100, on appeal, "to be appropriate".

The appeal result read: "The match referee on the day dealt with the problems during the game and did not deem them serious enough to abandon the match.

"He felt he could continue the game to its logical conclusion and indeed the game was completed as per the rules of the Football Association."

It continued: "The expulsion of other clubs in situations where matches had been abandoned did not therefore set a precedence for this case. The commission members therefore felt that to expel the club (St Joes) from the cup competition was far too excessive and that the South West Herts Football Association must therefore re-instate the winning team in this match to the next round of the competition."

The Bellmount Wood-based club could now face Oakview, their original scheduled semi-final opponents, in the last four but nothing will be finalised until Sunday League committee members meet to discuss the matter immediately after their Wednesday, June 4 annual meeting.

"I don't know what will be discussed at the meeting as I've no idea what each member of the committee will think or suggest," said Peter Drum, league secretary.

"I suppose disappointment about the Herts FA's decision is the word. We were surprised that it went that way.

"St Josephs had a right to appeal, they did so and won.

"I don't think the committee felt the outcome would be that one."

Asked if he still believed the league's initial punishment was sufficient Drum replied: "The committee felt so."

Finalists Glenn Sports now face a wait to see who will be their opponents for the clash, which has been postponed until the start of next season.

"I can't really comment on it," said Glenn boss Barrie Bates. "It is something we've got to deal with. I just want to play the final."