WEST Wales Intermediate Cup champions Johnston are under investigation into playing an ineligible player in the third round against St Josephs on December 7.
The current intermediate cup holders won their third round tie last Saturday against Swansea League Division One outfit St Josephs 41.
However, immediately after the match officials from St Josephs alerted the referee to the fact that Johnston’s Luke Hayward should not have been playing because he was suspended after being sent off in the previous round against Evans & Williams.
The referee was told that he had been playing under a different name to the one on the team sheet. He then reported the allegation to the West Wales Football Association who contacted Johnston for an explanation.
Johnston official Glenn Murray said: “We have been investigated by the West Wales Football Association and we have admitted the charge.”
Just seven months on from lifting the cup for the first time, the
Tigers now face being kicked out of the competition.
Johnston lifted the cup in May after defeating Penlan Club in a pulsating tie played at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium. Johnston found themselves 2-0 down at half time before coming back to force extra-time. Steve Mills scored the winning goal for the Tigers just four minutes from time. West Wales assistant secretary Ceri Richards has confirmed that they were investigating the serious allegation.
It is understood that Johnston have admitted the allegation and the West Wales Football Association now have to decide what punishment to hand down.
On his Facebook profile, Luke Hayward commented: “Couldn’t give a ****, 120 minutes on the liberty will never be taken away from me… Got one thing right tho we’re [the] holders!”
Around 10pm on Thursday 17th Luke Hayward: December 2013.
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