Sydney FC have blamed a rival club for alerting A-League officials to a breach of rules that has led to the Sky Blues being fined $5000.
Sydney have also lost four goals from their goal difference on the A-League table after it was realised that they had failed to include the required number of U23 players in their squad for three games in February and March.
The penalty worsens Sydney’s already perilous hopes of staying in the finals race, just as Steve Corica’s side begins its Asian Champions League campaign in Vietnam.
Under A-League rules, clubs can only have seven substitutes if at least three players in the matchday squad of 18 were born on or after January 1 2000.
It’s understood that officials from another A-League club spotted the fact that Sydney had less than the three in matches against Western United on February 23 and Melbourne City on February 26, as well as the derby with Western Sydney on March 5.
Sydney had lost all three fixtures, but the results in the first two games have been changed to 3-0 against the Sky Blues. A statement from the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) said it had “noted that its processes did not identify the initial breach within the three days between the (first two) games and this may have contributed to the second breach.
“APL has also noted that Sydney FC’s substitutes bench against Western Sydney on March 5 also did not include the requisite number of eligible players, but has not found the club guilty in recognition of the delay in identifying the initial breach.”
The amended results means Western United’s goal difference is improved by two, and Melbourne City’s by one.
“These rules were put in place to ensure young Australian players receive as many playing opportunities as possible, and so it’s important that we ensure they are observed,” said A-Leagues Commissioner Greg O’Rourke.
“It’s incumbent upon clubs to be fully aware of the eligibility requirements, however we acknowledge that if this had been picked up sooner then any subsequent breaches may not have happened. In the circumstances we deem a fine of $5000 is appropriate.”
Sydney FC admitted an “oversight” in breaking the rule it, and “requested that APL strengthens its own processes, so discrepancies are picked up earlier, rather than by rival clubs”.
Sydney are currently sixth but only by two points from their immediate rivals Macarthur in seventh, and having played three games more.
