Glentoran highlight ‘further judicial avenues remain open’ in response to IFA

The Glens appealed the decision to throw them out of the competition after Crowe was found to be ineligible for the quarter-final tie.

In a statement released following the IFA decision, Glentoran confirmed: “Glentoran note the ruling from the IFA Appeals Committee. Under the IFA Articles and UEFA statutes, further judicial avenues remain open and the club will take the necessary time to determine the next appropriate step in the best interests of Glentoran.”

Glentoran's grounds of appeal to the IFA were as follows:

1. That the Committee misdirected itself regarding the application and/or interpretation of the Intermediate Cup Rules, specifically Rule 13(iii);

2. The IFA Football Regulations do not apply in general and Regulation 27 does not apply specifically to the Intermediate Cup Rules;

3. The decision does not deal with, either adequately or at all, the observations made by Glentoran regarding the COMET system;

4. The decision does not take into account the impact the decision will have on Glentoran.

The Appeal Board however dismissed all grounds of appeal by Glentoran.

It also said it was satisfied that the appeal was not of a frivolous or vexatious nature and therefore a costs sanction was not appropriate in the circumstances.

The ruling means the Challenge Cup Committee’s determination that Newry should be reinstated to the competition - to play Ballymena United in the semi-finals - stands.