'Deep concerns': Finn Harps say registration processes need reviewed as appeal fails

Finn Harps have called for a review of the League of Ireland’s registration processes after having an appeal against one of their players being ruled ineligible.

Harps say that the ramifications are a matter of “deep concern” and could damage the sporting integrity of other leagues who may find themselves subject to similar issues over international transfer certificates (ITCs).

It comes after Gavin Hodgins was deemed ineligible after playing for Harps against Kerry in a 2-0 loss at Mounthawk Park in February.

A Kerry player, Stevan Stanic-Floody, was also ruled as ineligible from the same fixture and the League of Ireland annulled the fixture, meaning that the result is void and neither team received any points.

Harps lodged an appeal, believing they would have been entitled to be awarded a walkover 3-0 win as they contested that Hodgins was correctly registered on their part.

That a paltry fine - just €1 - was also set down on Harps heightened the club’s belief that they had a strong case.

This week, the Independent Appeal Committee upheld the original decision on the match while the fine increased to €100.

Harps will not take the matter to arbitration - a step that would cost €5,000 - and the has issued a stern statement in which they say they are “extremely disappointed” with the decision.

“Since Gavin was signed from Shelbourne FC, and had played for months in this jurisdiction following his return from Glenavon, the club argued that the transfer was a domestic one and therefore the question of an International Transfer Certificate in terms of eligibility did not arise,” Harps said.

After going back to Shels following a six-month loan at Glenavon, Hodgins featured for the Shell under-20 team, who went on to win the U20 Shield - with Hodgins playing in the final against Sligo Rovers - and finished top of the LOI Academy MU20 Tier Two (South). 

“The rules are very clear that the onus to obtain an ITC is on the club bringing the player into the jurisdiction.  There is no mention of such an onus on subsequent clubs.

“We further argued that since the error took place at a previous club and that they had already been sanctioned for it, as well as the fact that it was his previous club who had to remedy the issue following the opening game of the season, that natural justice meant punishing Finn Harps FC was inappropriate, and further that there was no provision under the rules to punish multiple clubs for the same offence.”

Harps say that the issue raises “serious questions” in that the situation wasn’t dealt with by the FAI so that a second club “would not end up being punished for a circumstance that could not have been reasonably foreseen”.

Harps said: “It is a matter of deep concern that clubs can now be sanctioned for every game in which a player has participated in the event that some legacy ITC issue at other clubs is now discovered.  The implications for the sporting integrity of leagues across the country may prove to be substantial.

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“We ask that the registration processes for matters such as these are reviewed and that the rules be looked at so that situations such as this one do not arise again.”