Written ruling from Disciplinary Panel

Presteigne St Andrews FC
Refs needed for pre-season friendlies

Presteigne St Andrews FCAfter the initial news that the club had been hit with a heavy FAW fine for its poor disciplinary record, we now have the written report of the panel.

This serves to underline the previous thoughts that, as a club, we have to sort out our disciplinary issues and – if the players don’t shape up in this respect – then the committee will have to look at further steps to ensure there is an improvement.

The charge was as follows:

‘The charge against Presteigne St Andrews Football Club, pursuant to Clause 7 of the 2013/14 Dicsiplinary Procedures Concerning Field Offences, with the Disiplinary Offence as set out under FAW Rule 38.1.1, for the alleged violation by its players of the Laws of the Game which resulted in the club’s accumulation of a total of 180 Penalty Points during the 2013/14 season.

The official ruling of the panel is as follows:

After carefully considering the written and verbal evidence submitted, the panel decided that the charge against Presteigne St Andrews Football Club be proven.

[To be honest, it would have been a major shock if it hadn’t been proven, as we had pleaded guilty to the charge, but this is just a technicality.]

The Panel further decided that Presteigne St Andrews Football Club should be fined a total of £400.00; £200.00 of which shall remain suspended and be payable should the Club be charged with a similar offence following the 2014/15 season.

The Panel also decided that Presteigne St Andrews Football Club should pay £25.00 towards the costs incurred.

In deciding this penalty, the Panel gave due consideration to Presteigne St Andrews Football Club’s previous misconduct record.

Finally, the Panel noted that a £100.00 fine had been suspended under minute E4661 and ordered that this now be paid.

So, we were fined £200.00, with the £100.00 for last season that had been suspended also coming into the equation.  Then, there was the expected £25.00 for costs – a total of £325.00.

But, if we are back there next season, we would be looking at £225.00 before we get through the door due to the suspended amount from this year and costs.

As outlined previously, it is the committee’s view that – on all levels – we simply cannot afford to be facing a similar hearing in 12 months’ time and so managers and particularly players are urged to show much more common sense when dealing with match officials.