Jersey Bulls title hopes in balance after points deduction
Jersey Bulls' hopes of winning the Combined Counties Premier South title have been hit after the club was docked points for fielding an ineligible player.The islanders have had three points deducted and fined £120 for playing a player who should have been suspended in their 4-0 win over Tooting and Mitcham United on 20 March.Toby Ritzema had passed the threshold for a suspension after picking up too many yellow cards.The deduction drops the island side from first to third in the table ahead of their final game of the season on Saturday. A win in that game against Sandhurst Town would have seen the Bulls clinch the title and automatic promotion into the Isthmian League.The deduction means they have 90 points, two behind second-placed Whyteleafe and three off Redhill who are now top.They could still win the title if they win and Redhill were to lose their final game of the season to mid-table Guildford City along with Whyteleafe drawing or losing at fifth-placed Fleet Town.Should they finish second or third they would have a home tie in the play-offs, with the teams ranked second to fifth facing one another for the second promotion place."Administrative staff at Jersey Bulls FC realised an error had been made and reported it to the League and Jersey FA immediately," the club said in a statement."Despite efforts to set out the significant mitigation the decision based on the lack of clarity on the number of yellow cards, the Combined Counties League have confirmed the three-point deduction."As the club considers it's options, we'd like to apologise to our amazing players and coaching staff, and ask that our fantastic supporters rally behind the team at this crucial stage of the season."
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