Bromley apologise to fans and pay their travel expenses as an administrative oversight sees them thrown out of The FA Trophy

BROMLEY have confirmed that they have been removed from The FA Trophy at a Football Association hearing at Wembley Stadium today.

 

The Ravens were 19 seconds away from winning The FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium on 20 May 2018 but Brackley Town equalised through Roger Johnson’s own-goal before Brackley Town claimed the silverware after Omar Bugiel and Jack Holland both missed in the penalty shoot-out.

Bromley beat their Vanarama National League rivals Sutton United  2-1 at Hayes Lane in the First Round on Saturday 15 December 2018 but were found guilty to have played an ineligible player, confirmed as being striker Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, who is currently on loan from Colchester United.

A FA statement said:  “At a meeting of an FA National Game Competitions Sub-Committee held today, Thursday 3 January 2019, the Members considered the charge raised against Bromley FC by The Football Association on 20 December 2018 for an alleged breach of FA Trophy Rule 15(i)(i) in relation to Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe playing in the above match having not received the required permissions by the lending Club in accordance with the Competition Rules.

“Having given all the evidence before them due consideration, the Members found the charge of a breach of FA Trophy Rule 15(i)(i) proven, in so much that Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe played in the above match without being correctly qualified in accordance with the Competition Rules.

“The Members ordered that Bromley FC shall be removed from this season’s Competition and Sutton United FC be reinstated into the Competition.

“Sutton United FC shall now play away to Spennymoor Town FC in the Second Round Proper with this match to be played on Saturday 12 January 2019.”

A club statement, which was published on www.bromleyfc.co.uk on Thursday evening, said: “The breach of rule related to the fielding of loanee Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe. As required, the Club had obtained written permission from Colchester United for the player to represent Bromley FC in the FA Trophy. Unfortunately, this document was not properly received by the FA due to an administrative oversight on our part.

“Having shown the upmost respect to the FA and the competition, as well as remaining fully transparent and open at all times regarding the reasons behind the oversight, and having followed due process since the charge, including adhering to confidentiality requests from the FA, along with attending a personal hearing at Wembley Stadium, the Club are deeply disappointed to have received the most severe sanction possible despite this being the Club’s first ever FA Trophy rule breach.

“This administrative error was brought to the attention of the FA by Sutton United’s secretary. The FA then informed us.

“The Club has today expressed its sincere apologies to the players and management, who, over the course of a 90 minute match, won the game 2-1. Most importantly, the Club would like to apologise to its loyal supporters who experienced a Wembley final last season in this competition, and tirelessly support the team home and away.

“As detailed above, the Club has gone to great lengths to plead its case with the FA. The Club does have the right to appeal, but having gone through today’s unsatisfactory hearing, and given the appeal hearing would take place just two days before the Second Round and the further uncertainty that this would cause, the Club will not be looking to appeal the sanction.

“The Club again extends its sincere apologies to supporters, and will reimburse those who have already incurred travel costs. Supporters affected by this should email us via info@bromleyfc.co.uk.”

The Ravens lost 1-0 to Sutton United on Boxing Day and a Jake Goodman 89^th minute header sealed a 2-1 win at Hayes Lane in the Vanarama National League live on BT Sport on 1 January 2019.

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.co.uk