ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Southgate Harmen A have been thrown out of the JC Cyril Anekstein Cup for fielding an ineligible player.
The Division One title hopefuls fielded new player Alan Hart in the 8-4 win over Red Sea but he had not been registered in time.
The club admit overlooking the rule that 'any player registered with the club after February 1 may not play in the cup'.
Harmen chairman Stuart Cohen, who is also vice-chairman of the Maccabi League, appealed the decision but a sub-committee, of which Mr Cohen did not attend, decided to fine the club and eliminate them from the competition, even though the club stated that their decision to field the player "was a genuine and honest oversight" and the match was won 8-4.
A Harmen statement said: "We are extremely disappointed with the outcome, especially as the sub committee had the other option of ordering that the game be replayed which in the club's opinion would have been the more appropriate outcome given the circumstances of the offence".