As the League of Ireland Premier Division heads into its final handful of matches in the 2022 campaign, the FAI has made a decision that will have implications on the title race and on which teams may qualify for European football.
The match that caused the controversy was played on Aug. 29. In that contest, Sligo Rovers beat Dundalk FC 2-0. This result kept Sligo within striking distance of fourth place in the league table, a spot which could become a Europa Conference League first-round qualifying place if the winners of the Extra.ie FAI Cup finish top-three in the league table.
This Dundalk FC loss meant that they were stuck 4 points behind Shamrock Rovers, who are in first, and Rovers have two games in hand on Dundalk.
FAI ruled Sligo Rovers fielded ineligible player, forfeit announced
The FAI statement read:
"An independent Disciplinary Committee of the Football Association of Ireland has determined that Sligo Rovers FC fielded an ineligible player in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division fixture against Dundalk FC on Monday, August 29th 2022. The Committee has ruled that Sligo Rovers FC will forfeit the game by a scoreline of 0-3."
According to Sligo Rovers, the ineligible player who appeared against Dundalk is Adam McDonnell and he was allegedly suspended for this match.
We wish to inform supporters of a notice received to appear before the FAI Disciplinary Control Unit this week
— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) September 5, 2022
It arises out of Adam McDonnell’s appearance against Dundalk when allegedly suspended
The potential sanction of an adverse finding is an overturning of the result pic.twitter.com/J32uyu5xcc
This Sligo forfeit means they have now “lost” their late August game to Dundalk 3-0. Dundalk is now awarded the 3 points and have moved into second place in the Premier Division behind Shamrock Rovers who have two matches in hand on Dundalk.
Sligo went from being 7 points behind St. Patrick’s Athletic, in fourth, with a glimmer of hope of again qualifying for Europe, to now 10 points behind St. Pat’s.
There is no doubt that this decision will have huge title implications, while also affecting which Irish clubs qualify for Europe in 2023-2024. It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds, especially when the season ends and we see where each club affected finishes in the league table.
League of Ireland Supporters: Which club do you think is going to win the league title this campaign? Leave your comments below!