{"id":25418,"date":"2018-02-16T15:40:09","date_gmt":"2018-02-16T15:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=25418"},"modified":"2018-02-16T15:40:09","modified_gmt":"2018-02-16T15:40:09","slug":"disqualified-archers-faw-cup-hopes-dashed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2018\/02\/16\/disqualified-archers-faw-cup-hopes-dashed\/","title":{"rendered":"Disqualified Archers have FAW cup hopes dashed"},"content":{"rendered":"

CARDIFF footballers disqualified from the FAW Women’s Cup are trying to put the disappointment behind them ahead of a league fixture this weekend.
\nCardiff Met Ladies Football Club was disqualified for playing two underage players in a game on November 12, dashing their hopes of raising the\u00a0cup for a third consecutive year.
\nThe Archers played two 15-year-old substitutes against Cardiff City Women\u2019s Football Club breaking\u00a0FAW Rule 85 which states \u201c15-year-olds can only play in competitions exclusive to the Welsh Premier Women’s League\u201d.
\nThe team had just beaten Abergavenny Ladies Football Club in the quarter-final when the ruling was made.
\nFans and players have expressed their disappointment that the team will be unable to continue in the competition.
\nEllie Walker-Smith, who plays for Cardiff Met, tweeted: \u201cSuch a frustrating day for Cardiff Met LFC. It is a shame this innocent act has caused such consequences! We continue proud of our performances and our players.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Such a frustrating day for @CardiffMetLFC<\/a> . Our squad is amazing having achieved what we have! Our younger girls are talented & a great part of our team. It\u2019s a shame this innocent act has caused such consequences! We continue proud of our performances and players #upthemet<\/a> ??<\/p>\n

\u2014 EllieWalker-Smith (@Ellie_WS96) February 13, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Helen Murray tweeted: \u201cSuch a shame, these girls have worked so hard to get where they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Such a shame these girls have worked so hard to get where they are<\/p>\n

\u2014 Helen murray (@murray_helz) February 13, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The club said it had not realised it had breached the rules and denied the cheating was intentional.
\n\u201cWe unintentionally played two ineligible players \u2013 registered players who were under the age of 16 at the time who are eligible for all other competitions that concern us.
\n\u201cAs this was not brought to light sooner, we exit the competition now having played 120 unnecessary minutes and winning in the quarter-final against Abergavenny.\u201d
\nAbergavenny Ladies Football Club have now been re-entered by the FAW for the cup.
\nWayne Jeremiah, club secretary for Abergavenny LFC, said: “As a club we’re happy to be back in the Welsh Cup but disappointed that mistake wasn’t picked up sooner.”
\nAndrew Howard, head of competitions at the FAW, said:\u00a0\u201cThe FAW believes this was an honest mistake but the rules are clear and do not allow for any discretion.\u201d
\nThe 15-year-olds would only be allowed to play in the Welsh Premier Women\u2019s League and League Cup.
\n\u201cTo ensure a level playing field in our National Cup competition, these players are not permitted to play in the FAW Women\u2019s Cup as the 15-year-old Rule is not applicable to clubs playing in Tiers two and three who also enter the FAW Women\u2019s Cup,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n