SPORTS SET TO APPEAL 12-POINT THREAT

MICKLEOVER are appealing a potential 12-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player.

The Southern Premier Central play-off chasers were charged just over a week ago but have confirmed they plan to fight the penalty that would dent their hopes of finishing in the top five.

A club spokesman told The NLP: “A league panel has met regarding an accusation of the club fielding an ineligible player over a number of games.

“The club are in the process of preparing what we believe to be a very strong case to appeal any points deduction.

“Whilst this is ongoing, the club will make no other comment on this matter.”

Ahead of yesterday’s fixture with league champions Needham Market, Sports were third in the table with a nine point cushion on sixth-place Redditch United.

It comes as Step 4 Harborough Town’s NPL Division One Midlands title hopes were hit with a sixpoint deduction.

The Bees were charged with fielding an ineligible player in games against Gresley Rovers and Bedworth United.

The club received a fine from The FA and a further one game suspension for the player, along with his initial two-game ban.

A club statement said: “We would like to sincerely apologise to the players, the manager, and the management team, who have been nothing short of brilliant, so far this season.

“We would also like to sincerely apologise to our fantastic supporters, and everyone connected with the football club for this clerical error.

“We understand that this will be extremely difficult to comprehend how such oversights can occur, and the football club can assure you all that measures have been put in place to ensure that a repeat of this error cannot happen again.

“Having already secured a play-off place and still chasing automatic promotion we truly hope that this will galvanise everyone to get behind the team on the pitch for the remaining fixtures of the season, to drive us forward and achieve our end goal.”