Decision to fine clubs is upheld

By David Richardson

AN Independent Appeal Board has dismissed the challenges of 11 clubs against sanctions from the National League for failing to fulfil fixtures while three club have had their fines reduced.

The FA published the outcomes of the appeals which relate to the punishments dished out by an Independent Panel, commissioned by the National League, in March.

Fines ranging from £1,400 to £8,000, in addition to a suspended points deduction for the 2021-22 season, were issued to each National League North and South club found guilty.

Per breach, each club received a £2,000 fine and suspended two-point deduction with a 30 per cent reduction made to the fine for those accepting the charge ahead of the hearing.

National League side Dover Athletic were deemed guilty of not fulfilling four matches and the Panel inflicted a £40,000 fine, reduced by 20 per cent from the initial fine, and a 12-point deduction for next season.

The appeals heard from Alfreton Town, Bath City, Bradford Park Avenue, Chippenham Town, Curzon Ashton, Darlington, Dover Athletic, Dulwich Hamlet, Kettering Town, Slough Town, Southport between June 3 and June 11 for failing to fulfil fixtures were all dismissed and the written reasons have been published.

The Appeal Board also considered three appeals on April 29 from National League North sides Blyth Spartans, Farsley Celtic and Spennymoor Town.

They ordered 50 per cent of the club’s original fines to be suspended with their suspended two-point deduction remaining.

The Appeal Board upheld an appeal from Southport on June 9 in relation to allegedly misinforming the National League over a COVID-19 test which they had been fined £2,000 for.

The league has been ordered to pay the costs of the Appeal Board in the sum of £1,200.

In a statement, Southport said: “Southport FC would like to express their gratitude to the FA in reaching the correct decision in relation to the club’s appeal.

“It is extremely unfortunate that the National League saw fit to fine Southport during such a difficult period in any event, and more so that the league saw fit to announce publicly that the club had been charged with misinforming the league, despite the fact, and as was agreed by the FA, the league did not have sufficient evidence of misinformation on the part of the club.

“It is disappointing to note that no apology has been received from the National League.”