RANGERS REINSTATED Following protests and appeals, Enniskillen Rangers have been reinstated back into the final of the fonacab Irish Junior Cup.

ENNISKILLEN Rangers have been reinstated in to the fonacab Irish Junior Cup Final following a hearing with the IFA’S Appeals Committee. The hearing was held on Tuesday, May 7 a day after the Junior Cup Final was due to be originally played.

That was pushed back after Rangers lodged the appeal against their removal from the tournament after the semi-final clash with Fermanagh & Western rivals, Tummery Athletic.

Tummery lodged a protest after it was revealed Rangers player, Jordan Mcclure, was involved in preparations for the semi-final at Ferney Park despite being suspended.

Following a protest to the IFA Disciplinary Committee by Tummery, the committee ruled that

Rangers would be fined and forfeit the semi-final as per Article 22.1 of the IFA Disciplinary Code.

This was followed with an appeal by Rangers to the IFA’S Appeals Committee.

Following the hearing on Tuesday, finding s were issued to both clubs on Wednesday afternoon.

In their appeal, Rangers made points on Articles 22.1 and 17.9 of the disciplinary code and that the committee should have considered proportionality of the sanction under Article 17.9.

They also argued there were conflicts between IFA rules and FIFA rules and that if there was a conflict FIFA rules should take precedent.

Specifically, Rule 66(2) of the FIFA rules details the permitted areas for suspended players. The FIFA rules do not mention the “field of play” or “the playing surface at any match”.

There is a lack of clarity as to what would constitute “the technical area” at a Junior Cup Game.

Rangers also argued that there was an unfairness in the rules pointing out that Article 22.2 relating to breaches of suspensions by officials only results in a fine and not a forfeiture.

Mitigating factors around the case were also put forward around Mcclure’s involvement and aftermath of his involvement.

The IFA Disciplinary Committee made points on Articles in the Disciplinary Code.

In their findings, the Appeals Panel found that Article 17.9 of the Disciplinary Code grants “the Disciplinary Committee discretion when determining the appropriate sanction”.

The findings stated: “The Appeals Panel was accordingly unanimously of the view that the sanction imposed by The Disciplinary Committee was not proportionate to the breach committed.”

They therefore upheld Rangers’ appeal and overturned the forfeiture.

The £350 fine still stands and this is “reasonable and proportionate”.

The panel also recommended that an urgent review of the IFA Disciplinary Code is taken to address conflicts between Articles 17.9 and 22.1.

They also recommended the second half of Article 22.1 is confusing and should be redrafted while there is a “lack of clarity” in Article 15.9 around banned areas for suspended players.

Enniskillen Rangers Chairman, Tony Roofe, said he was delighted with the outcome of the appeal adding that a full statement would be issued once the club has looked thoroughly at the findings.*