Celebration time for Reds - October 16 2007
Celebration time for Reds
October 16 2007
Shepparton News
Shepparton is the premier of North Eastern Soccer League after an independent appeals board sensationally ruled its grand final win stand.
A tribunal had originally declared the season still going and a replay of the grand final between Shepparton and Yoogali take place.
But that ruling was last night overturned by the three-man board of Larry Smith, George Tepus and chairman Bob Schirmer.
The original tribunal heard a protest of the grand final result from Yoogali after it lost 7-6 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Tatura Park on Sunday, September 23.
Yoogali lodged its protest because of a penalty taken by Shepparton's alreadysubstituted player Adrian Ingham who left the field during extratime of the grand final.
Ingham converted his penalty - Shepparton's eighth of the shoot-out - to keep the Reds in the game at 6-6.
Shepparton's appeal of the original tribunal decision forced a scheduled replay of the grand final for last Sunday to be cancelled in order for the appeals board to sit.
Shepparton solicitor Andrew Scott presented five points of appeal in Shepparton's defence last night regarding the original tribunal decision in the hearing at Goulburn-Ovens TAFE.
The appeals board sided with Shepparton's point of protest that law five of FIFA rules states the referee's decision is final.
"There is no doubt Shepparton has breached the rules of the game," Schirmer said.
"But law five of FIFA rules is absolute, the referee's decision at the end of the game is final.
"The game is awarded to Shepparton Soccer Club and the scores and penalties stand as recorded by the referee."
The original tribunal of John Karounos, Bruce Little and Gordon Porter had ruled Ingham's penalty "not sporting" and the only sporting outcome of the game be a rematch.
National head of refereeing Richard Lorenc also told The News that in circumstances where it is the referee who breaks the laws of the game, a rematch is the only option.
Ingham and Shepparton Soccer Club will still be charged with misconduct by the league over their role in the grand final.
The charge of misconduct will be lodged by the league against Ingham and the club in the coming days.
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