The Southern League Premier Central play-off semi-finals have been rearranged for Friday although it is unclear whether Stratford Town will keep their place.
Both semi-finals, which were due to be played tonight, were postponed yesterday after it was revealed Stratford were under investigation by the FA for allegedly fielding an ineligible player.
Stratford finished fifth, five points above Coalville Town in sixth, and if the club is found guilty of the offence, they will be deducted the points they gained from the fixtures in which the ineligible player played in.
King's Lynn Town, who were due to play Stratford, have threatened to take legal action while Stourbridge might not be able to host their tie with Alvechurch due to ground sharing with a cricket club – and chairman Andy Pountney is considering withdrawing from the play-offs.
The Southern League have now released a statement confirming the new dates of the ties, with Coalville potentially taking Stratford's place.
It read: “Following the postponement of this evening's scheduled Play-off Semi-Final ties due to an investigation by the FA for a possible ineligible player by Stratford Town which could result in points deduction, the Evo-Stik League South's Board has made the following decisions:
“1. The two play-off semi-finals are to take place on Friday 3rd May as follows:
King's Lynn Town versus Stratford Town/Coalville Town*
Stourbridge versus Alvechurch
“*The FA decision on the Stratford Town matter is expected by lunchtime today, after which the League will be able to make its investigations/decision which will be made with extreme haste
“2. The Play-off Finals to take place on Monday 6th May.
“The problem faced has not been made any easier by the fact that the Super Play-off Final is to take place on Saturday May 11th, which does not give much time in which to schedule these matches to minimise a potential advantage for the Northern Premier League Club in the Final since their Play-off Final is scheduled for this coming Saturday.
“The League apologies for this situation occurring and the inconvenience that it has caused everyone, but since this is an FA matter it is been out of the League's hands.”
