Glentoran get points refund

Glentoran FC have sensationally shot straight to the top of the Irish League Premier Division after being given back the 12 points they had previously been deducted.

Decision reversed
The Irish League's Rules and Revision Committee had decided that Glentoran had played midfielder Andy Kilmartin in four league matches and three CIS Insurance Cup matches while he was improperly registered. Their opponents in each of the matches were awarded 1-0 victories and Glentoran were fined €1,570 for each game concerned.

Out of date
However, FIFA regulations regarding freedom of contract superseding the current Irish League relations came to light tonight and the decisions were reversed in favour of Glentoran. The FIFA regulations mean that a player can change status from professional to amateur 30 days after his last game as a professional. It was found that the current Irish League regulations were out of date.

Good faith
The Irish Football Association (IFA) informed Irish League secretary Harry Wallace about the new regulations and the league immediately withdrew the sanctions against Glentoran, stressing that the league had acted in good faith and was happy that the matter had been resolved.

Top of the table
The return of the 12 points puts Glentoran top of the table on 27 points as they have won nine of their 10 matches. They are now one point ahead of champions Portadown FC, the only team to have beaten them in the league so far this season.

Back in the cup
Glentoran have also been allowed back into the CIS Insurance Cup after losing seven points in the group stages. The Glens will now play Portadown in the outstanding quarter-final match on Tuesday night. The £7,000 fine has also been refunded to the east Belfast club.

'A fitting reward'
Glentoran manager Roy Coyle said that his players would be "ecstatic" at the decision adding, "Our players have worked hard since July to get these good results and this is a fitting reward for their efforts."

Three-point deductions
The decision means that the four clubs who were awarded wins over Glentoran - Institute FC, Crusaders FC, Newry Town FC, and Cliftonville FC - have all had three points deducted.