Peterhead are considering an appeal against the £10,000 fine imposed by the SPFL for playing a banned player after the Scottish Football Association viewed the offence worthy of only a £250 penalty.
Peterhead are considering an appeal against the £10,000 fine imposed by the SPFL for playing a banned player after the Scottish Football Association viewed the offence worthy of only a £250 penalty. The club fielded Reece Donaldson in a 3-2 win over Ayr United, when the defender should have been serving a suspension for picking up six bookings, however there was further confusion after Donaldson was sent off in a Scottish Cup tie that brought another ban. That suspension was served in a league game against Dunfermline Athletic and the League 2 side were adamant they had clarified Donaldson's availability with the SFA and had phone records to prove it. That cut no ice with the league body who punished them with the hefty fine two weeks ago, which is suspended in part, as well as ordering the game to be replayed.
Donaldson finally served his suspension against Stirling Albion on Saturday but Peterhead are considering an appeal against the SPFL. Not only is the club upset by the size of the fine imposed, they are also angry that Donaldson has now been suspended twice. Peterhead have been advised that too much time has elapsed since the SPFL made their decision on November 24 to allow an appeal but the club are considering what legal avenues are open to challenge that.
A club spokesperson said: "We believe that we had a fair hearing at the SFA on Thursday and that their penalty reflects what was an honest mistake compounded by extenuating circumstances." When you look at that penalty compared to the one that the SPFL imposed there is a very strong case for asking for that to be looked at again.
"The process needs to looked at as well as if the SFA Panel had gone first it could be reasonable to assume that the SPFL penalty would not be as harsh. We will look to see what options are available."
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