Enterprise Youths will finally play its Central Football Association Sanitank League Cup semifinal against KC Perseverance on Thursday after the Disciplinary Committee ruled in its favour against a protest lodged by league champions, Cunupia FC.
Cunupia had protested that Enterprise use of players Trimane Jamel Sobers and Andel Bishop was not illegal in their 2-0 quarterfinal loss on November 10. Cunupia had stated both players were part of the Leeds FC in 2009 and questioned their iligibility to play for Enterprise Youths on the basis of not being transfered from the club.
However in giving its ruling the CFA Disciplinary Committee said it reviewed both players registration forms which showed both last played for Edinburgh 500 in 2011 and transfer forms signed by the club being attached. Sobers also admitted to playing for Leeds in 2009, Tobago United in the T&T Pro League in 2010 and with Edinburgh 500 last year.
Bishop was not available for questioning, however CFA records showed he was transfered in 2011 from Eagles United to Edinburgh 500. In reviewing the players transfer forms the Disciplinary Committee ruled that the questions were properly completed on the form; the signed transfers relating to the 2012 player registration forms for both were received; and the verbal submissions of both admitting playing for Leeds FC in 2009 and Tobago United in 2010.
The DC also conisdered that on the basis of the information required on the 2012 player registration for both and the related transfer forms that the club Enterprise Youths committed no offence and therefore should not be penalized.
Furthermore, the DC noted Enterprise Youths is a newly registered club with the CFA and as such may not be fully aware of the players’ previous year’s history. That the players in question committed a breach of CFA, T&TFF and FIFA registration procedures in 2010 and are guilty of an offence and should be sanctioned.
In summarising, the DC ruled that the result dated November 10 be upheld on the basis of the considerations listed above while both players should be penalised for their actions by serving five match suspensions effective from the date of the ruling, meaning they will miss the rest of the tournament.
In closing, the CFA DC said the protest was overruled and Cunupia FC, Sobers and Bishop reserved the right to appeal the decision in accordance with the constitution of the CFA, T&TFF and FIFA sanctions. The winner of Thursday’s semifinal between Enterprise Youth and KC Perseverance United at Hugo Francis Recreation Ground on Thursday from 7 pm, will meet Leeds FC in the final on Sunday at the same venue from 5pm.
Leeds earned its place in the final after a 2-0 shut-out of St Mary’s United at the same venue a week ago with Lyndon Luke scoring a first-half brace.