The KDFNL Independent Tribunal last night ruled that Stanhope have been cleared to play in the Senior Preliminary Final this Saturday at Lancaster as well as being issued with a fine of $2,000.
KDFNL Executive Member Vin Edwards has acknowledged that the League will accept the Tribunal’s decision.
"The League’s Independent Tribunal has handed down their verdict and the Executive will accept this decision and move on in the best interests of clubs and the KDFNL’s many supporters" he said.
"With all of the information at hand and the facts in front of us the Executive had no choice on Monday night to follow the bylaws and make the heartbreaking decision to rule Stanhope had played an ineligible player in the Semi Final last weekend and would forfeit the game."
"While we agonised over the decision and took no joy whatsoever in the outcome we followed the appropriate and thorough process and applied our bylaws in the correct manner."
"However, the independent Tribunal have made their call and we are disappointed that their decision last night did not uphold our bylaws and endorse the decision that the Executive made.
"The matter has been an extremely stressful and difficult one for all parties involved and any outcome was always going to be a loss scenario in one way or the other."
"It is also important for our supporters to understand that as soon as the issue arose KDFNL President Wayne Ryan and Senior Vice President Sandy Ryan both excused themselves from all deliberations and discussions due to their previous associations at Stanhope."
"That was an important component of the process to ensure it was fair, open and free from any real or perceived conflict of interest."
"The Executive have also determined that player Alex O’Reilly has been ruled ineligible to play this Saturday as per League Bylaw 41.2."
"With all of that being said we will now move on and finalise preparations for what will be a massive day at Lancaster on Saturday for our football and netball Preliminary Finals."
Last Modified on 08/09/2016 14:04