Dover and other National League clubs penalised for voided games
National League side Dover Athletic have been deducted 12 points for next season and fined £40,000 for failing to fulfil fixtures.
The Kent club have not played since February after saying they were unable to continue this season due to a lack of funds.
The club have been found guilty of four breaches of rules and the 15 matches they have played this season have been expunged from the records.
With no relegation from the competition this season, they will remain in the division for the 202122 campaign, but start with a minus points tally.
A statement read: “An independent panel has ruled that Dover Athletic are deemed guilty of four breaches of rule 8.39 for failing to meet fixture obligations between Feb 16 and Feb 27.
“The club will play no further part in the 2020-21 playing season, with the club’s existing National League results expunged. A 12-point deduction for the 2021-22 playing season and fine of £40,000 have additionally been issued.”
The statement added that the punishment took into account savings Dover had made in comparison to the clubs who have continued their seasons.
“The panel also had to consider the integrity of the competition,” the statement added. National League clubs voted in February over whether to curtail the season due to the ongoing financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The majority voted to continue, but Dover, one of seven clubs to vote against playing on, maintained they were in an unsustainable position. They furloughed their players, and said they could not play again until appropriate funding was secured.
The removal of Dover’s results does not affect the top positions in the table with Sutton retaining a four-point lead over Hartlepool. Dover have a right to appeal against the National League’s punishment to the Football Association.
Meanwhile, an independent panel has ruled that 16 clubs in National League North and South should be hit with fines ranging from £1,400 to £8,000, and face suspended points deductions for failing to meet fixture obligations.