Cymru Premier: Penybont docked three points for fielding ineligible player

Penybont won eight of their 21 league fixtures prior to being deducted three points

Cymru Premier side Penybont have been docked three points for fielding an ineligible player.

Rhys Griffiths' outfit have also been fined £500, with £250 suspended until the end of the 2024-25 season.

It comes after a Football Association of Wales (FAW) committee charged the club for playing Eliot Richards in a fixture against Aberystwyth Town on 27 October while ineligible.

Penybont have until 17:00 GMT on 15 January to challenge the outcome.

An FAW statement read: "The charge against Penybont for a breach of JD Cymru Premier Rule 14.1, namely that they played Eliot Richards in the JD Cymru Premier fixture against Aberystwyth Town FC on the 27 October 2023 whilst ineligible in that, having made a change to List A in accordance with Rule 12.6(b), they failed to re-submit List A as required by Cymru Premier Rule 12.11.

"The Disciplinary Sub-Committee found the charge to be proven."

Penybont sit eighth in the Cymru Premier table following their points deduction.

Crucially, it means they are now out of the running to secure a Championship conference spot as they trail sixth-placed Caernarfon Town by five points with just one game left to play, against Connah's Quay, prior to the division split.

A statement issued by Penybont read: "We are extremely disappointed with the decision of the FAW National League Board to deduct three points and fine Penybont Football Club for an administrative oversight which afforded no sporting advantage whatsoever.

"The club are now considering the most appropriate independent appeal options to pursue.

"No further comment will be issued at this stage."

Bottom club Pontypridd United were docked six points in December for player contract breaches.