Spartans Demand Replay

[ian1964 10,720]

NON-LEAGUE Spartans have demanded their Scottish Cup clash with Elgin should be replayed because they insist the Highlanders fielded an ineligible player.

 

Keeper Joe Malin was named man of the match for Elgin in Saturday's 2-1 victory, just 24 hours after the club signed him from Ross County.

 

Spartans believe his arrival at the Third Division side came too late for him to be eligible to play in the tie and have asked the SFA to replay the game.

 

Edinburgh-based Spartans yesterday asked Hampden officials to investigate as former Celtic youth player Malin had not signed prior to the postponement of the initial match the previous Saturday.

 

After Spartans chairman Craig Graham was alerted to the fact Malin appeared for Elgin, he contacted the SFA about the possibility the player had made an illegal appearance.

 

Graham said: "The rules state that a player needs to be signed before the initial Saturday and we have asked the SFA to clarify the ruling.

 

"Rule 27 also states that if you have an issue you have to raise it to the match official within half an hour of the game finishing but we were unable to do that because we had no idea who Joe Malin was.

 

"I think the SFA have three options; they can fine Elgin and let them continue in the competition, they can replay the match or throw them out."

 

But Elgin secretary Ian Allan is confident his club would be saved.

 

He said: "The rules state that Spartans should have made their complaint no later than 15 minutes before kick-off.

 

"The SFA only told me about Spartans' claim this afternoon."

 

The SFA have already begun a probe after Spartans raised the issue yesterday.

 

A spokesperson said: "That matter has been brought to our attention and all I can say is that we are investigating it."

 

Spartans were also the opposition when St Mirren failed to play two outfield players under the age of 21 in their Scottish Cup tie in 2006, leading to the Buddies being hit with a �£12,500 fine after the initial �£25,000 sanction was halved on appeal.

 

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/2008/12/09/spartans-demand-scottish-cup-rematch-with-elgin-city-86908-20957363/