King's Lynn Town's The Walks ground
Both of the Southern League Premier Central play-off semi-finals have been postponed due to an FA enquiry.
King's Lynn Town were set to host Stratford Town on Wednesday night, but the visitors are now being investigated over allegedly fielding an ineligible player during the season.
Stratford finished 5th, five points above Coalville Town in sixth. If the club is found guilty of the offence, they will be deducted the points they gained from the fixtures which the ineligible player featured in.
Alvechurch were set to visit Stourbridge in the other semi-final tomorrow, but that has also been postponed.
Game Postponed!!!
Tomorrow nights playoff semifinal v @StourbridgeFC has been postponed.In light of the current “issues” with the FA enquiry into @StratfordTownFC we have been informed that ‘In the interest of fairness' ours will heed to be rescheduled.
Looking like Fri/Sat
— Alvechurch FC (@Alvechurch1st) April 30, 2019
A statement released by Stratford, read: “We have received a letter from the FA on April 29 regards an alleged ineligible player and potential points deduction.
“The FA asked us to supply relevant information by lunchtime April 30 which we will comply with.
“We await the outcome from the FA and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and we hope a swift conclusion.
“The club will make no further comment until we have heard further from the FA.”
Meanwhile, King's Lynn chairman Stephen Cleeve has threatened to take legal action over the matter.
He wrote on Twitter: “As a club if the outcome is not fair to our club I will not hesitate to take legal action and protect all the hard work that everyone has put in this season.
“This process has already started. The whole affair stinks of incompetence – enough is enough.
“The situation with our play-off games is farcical – the lads deserve to be treated fairly and be given the same rest periods as the other semi-finalists – anything else favours the other finalists and gives them an advantage.
“Not blaming Stratford but this situation arose in February. Why is it only being dealt with at the 11th hour? The other semi-final must be played on the same day as ours and of course the NPL winners get stress-free extra-time to prepare for super final.”
