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Hartlepool hit with three-point deduction
Published by Simon Head on May 6, 2010
Another League One side will be sweating on the final day of the season after Hartlepool United were advised that they will be deducted three points by a Football Disciplinary Commission after being found guilty of playing an ineligible player.
Pools had played midfielder Gary Liddle – who was already suspended after picking up his tenth booking of the season – in their League One match with Brighton.
Hartlepool won that match by two goals to nil and, after a lengthy period of consultation and discussion, the Commission ruled that the points earned in that match should be deducted with immediate effect.
The statement, released this afternoon by The Football League, reads:
“A Football Disciplinary Commission has deducted Hartlepool United three points for fielding a suspended player in their League 1 match against Brighton & Hove Albion on April 5. The club has also been given a suspended fine of £10,000 and has been ordered to pay the costs of the commission.
“The ruling comes after Pools selected Gary Liddle for the 2-0 win against Brighton when the player should have been serving the first game of a two-match ban after collecting his tenth yellow card of the season in the previous match at Leyton Orient.
“The points will be deducted with immediate effect.
“Hartlepool United have 28 days to appeal.”
The Commission has also imposed a suspended fine of £10,000, which will come into effect if the club repeats the offence in the next 12 months.
The deduction moves Gillingham up one place to 18th in the League One table, with Hartlepool dropping from 16th to 19th.
There has been no statement regarding any changes to the club’s goal difference.
Simon Head
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