Bradford reinstated to FA Cup after appeal against expulsion

The Bantams were thrown out of the FA Cup by the Football Association last week because they did not receive written permission in time to play Newcastle loanee Curtis Good in the second-round meeting with Brentford on 30 November, which finished 1-1,

But, following yesterday’s appeal, Bradford say the FA has decided to fine the club and allow them back into the competition.

It means Bradford will now travel to Brentford for the FA Cup replay next Tuesday, with the winners to face Southend in the third round.

A Bradford statement read: “Bradford City FC can confirm that today director of operations David Baldwin attended an appeal hearing with Ben Jones, Partner at Petherbridge Bassra solicitors and Mr Simon Csoka QC of Carmelite Chambers.

“We can confirm that on appeal the club has now been reinstated back into the FA Cup competition and has been fined for its actions.

“We deeply regret our breach of the rules and are currently reviewing our procedures to ensure no repeat of this situation.”

An FA statement read: “The board accepts that it is reasonable to expel a club where they have fielded an ineligible player, therefore, that element of the appeal was dismissed. They then turn to the issue of excessive penalty and the fact that the effect of any decision and sanction needs to be appropriate, proportionate and fair.

“Taking into consideration that the immediate disclosure before the game, the fact that the player was for all other intents eligible and was only barred through a genuine administrative error of notification, that no consideration had been given to an alternative option that the decision was in the appeal board’s view excessive.

“Therefore, the club are reinstated to The FA Cup competition and are fined £1,000.”