The League of Ireland's Independent Appeal Committee has rejected appeals made by Kerry FC and Finn Harps over the decision to overturn their results from the opening night of the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division season for fielding ineligible players.
Kerry and Finn Harps were each deemed to have fielded an ineligible player - Stevan Stanic-Floody and Gavin Hodgins respectively - in their opening night league meeting in Tralee on 14 February, which had ended 2-0 in Kerry's favour. Wexford also had to forfeit their 3-0 win over UCD from the same night.
Per the FAI Disciplinary Regulations, the result of the Kerry v Finn Harps game was voided earlier this month with neither side receiving any points from the game.
Both sides subsequently lodged appeals against the decision. However, those have both now been rejected.
"Following the conclusion of an appeal hearing, an Independent Appeal Committee has rejected the appeals made by Kerry FC in relation to the eligibility of player Stevan Stanic-Floody, and by Finn Harps FC in relation to the eligibility of player Gavin Hodgins in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division fixture between the two clubs on 14 February 2025," the league said in a statement.
"The Independent Appeal Committee has upheld the original decision to annul the result of the fixture, meaning the result is void and neither team will receive any points.
"Please note that this decision may be appealed to arbitration."
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