FOOTBALL Federation Victoria (FFV) Competitions Department on Friday completed an investigation into last weekend’s disputed Geelong Region Men’s Division 2 semi-final fixture between Corio and Deakin Ducks Black. Initially won 6-4 by Corio, the result has been overturned to 3-0 in favour of Deakin after Corio was found to have fielded an ineligible player.

“FFV has assessed all information provided and concluded in accordance to the 2017 Rules of Competition, it was found that Corio SC fielded ineligible player(s) in the above listed fixture, in breach of Regulation 3.3.2.c. with regards to amending a Match Record after the completion of a fixture, and Regulation 12.4.1. with regards to the qualification of players for Finals in Men’s Division 2,” said an official statement from the FFV’s Competitions Department.

These Regulations from the 2017 FFV Geelong Rules of Competition are listed below:

3.3.2.c. A Club will be guilty of Misconduct if it fails to list on the Match Record the shirt number, full name and FFA ID number for each player, or adds players to the Match Record after submission to the Match Official (and without the Match Official’s permission), and shall be processed in accordance with the terms of the GDT.

12.4.1.  Each player must have Played at least five (5) Regular Season Competition Fixtures for that Team to qualify to play Finals for that Team.

•             The fixture was initially a 6-4 win in favour of Corio SC.

•             The result has been amended to 3-0 in favour of Deakin Ducks FC Black in accordance with the below extract of the 2017 FFV GDT:

9.2 (c)   Where a Club or Team Fields an Unregistered or Ineligible Player in a Fixture, including Finals Series or Play-Off Fixtures, the following applies:

(i)            A Team that is found to have fielded an Unregistered or Ineligible Player(s) during a Fixture(s), the score for the respective Fixture(s) shall be as follows:

C.         where that Team wins the Fixture, the result shall be a 3-0 win to the non-infringing Team.

As a result of the FFV’s determination, Sunday’s Men’s Division 2 Grand Final has been amended to now involve Golden Plains and Deakin Ducks Black. The game will be staged on Pitch 1 at Stead Park, with kick off set down for 2pm

“Deakin Ducks FC Black now qualify for the Grand Final this Sunday 24 September following the amendment of the Semi-Final result. Due to finishing in a lower league position, Deakin Ducks FC Black have been deemed the away team and as the second-listed team will be required to bring an alternate shirt colour if required this Sunday,” stated the official FFV correspondence sent out on Friday afternoon.