Hollands & Blair hit in the pocket after failing to play FA Cup tie at Burgess Hill Town due to Covid-19 concerns at home club

HOLLANDS & BLAIR have received written confirmation of the FA Cup sub-committee ruling regarding an alleged breach of FA Cup Rule 7 (f).

 

This relates to the unplayed FA Cup Preliminary Round tie away to Burgess Hill Town on Saturday 12 September 2020 when manager Simon Halsey said that they would not travel down to Leylands Park to play the fixture due to some of the home club’s players had tested positive for Covid-19 and were in insolation.

The FA contacted the Gillingham-based club on Monday 8 February 2021 and concluded: “Having given all of the evidence before them due consideration, including the Clubs admission to the charge, the Members found the charge of a breach of FA Cup Rule 7 (f), proven, in so much that Hollands & Blair FC had failed to fulfil the above match, in breach of Competition Rules.”

The decision is ‘Final and Binding’, meaning there is no possibility of an appeal from the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division club.

A club statement posted on their club website today said: “The outcome is that Hollands & Blair FC must repay the losing side award of £481 which was paid to us.  The Club is also warned as to its future conduct.

“The opponents will receive £250 to offset any expenses they had for the fixture.

“The Executive Committee met to consider the decision and agreed that although the decision not to play the game was made with the best interests of the health and safety of our players and coaching staff in mind they nevertheless accept and will be bound by the FA’s findings.”

Hollands & Blair’s last outing was their 6-0 defeat away to league leaders Chatham Town on Saturday 31 October 2020 and the league has been suspended due to Covid-19 restrictions since then.

The Football Association has not told non-elite football clubs (that play in Step Three to Six of the National League System) what they are doing with the 2020-21 football season but are expected to issue an update after the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reveals his "roadmap" on 22 February.

Visit Hollands & Blair’s website: www.hollandsandblair.co.uk