Bradford reinstated into FA Cup after successful appeal

After beating Arsenal in the Capital One Cup last night, it's more good news for the League Two side

Bradford have been reinstated into this season's FA Cup after successfully appealing against their expulsion for fielding an ineligible player.

The Bantams were thrown out of the competition by the Football Association last week because they did not receive written permission in time to play Newcastle loanee Curtis Good in the second-round meeting with Brentford on November 30, which finished 1-1,

But following today's appeal, Bradford say the FA has decided to fine the club and allow them back into the competition.

It means Bradford, who reached the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup after last night's thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Arsenal, will now travel to Brentford for the FA Cup replay next Tuesday, with the winners to face Southend in the third round.

A Bradford statement read: "Bradford City FC can confirm that today director of operations David Baldwin attended an appeal hearing with Ben Jones, Partner at Petherbridge Bassra solicitors and Mr Simon Csoka QC of Carmelite Chambers.

"The appeal was heard before the FA Appeal committee at Wembley Stadium in relation to the matter of the club's expulsion from this season's FA Cup with Budweiser competition.

"We can confirm that on appeal the club has now been reinstated back into the FA Cup competition and has been fined for its actions.

"We deeply regret our breach of the rules and are currently reviewing our procedures to ensure no repeat of this situation.

"Therefore the original replay of the club's FA Cup second-round tie at Brentford FC, scheduled for Tuesday, December 18 2012, will now take place at the Bees' Griffin Park stadium."

The FA confirmed the club have been fined £1,000 after the appeal board decided the original punishment was "excessive" for what amounted to an administrative error.

An FA statement read: "Firstly, the board accepts that it is reasonable to expel a club where they have fielded an ineligible player, therefore, that element of the appeal was dismissed.

"They then turn to the issue of excessive penalty and are drawn to the fact that the effect of any decision and sanction needs to be appropriate, proportionate and fair.

"Taking into consideration that the immediate disclosure before the game, the fact that the player was for all other intents eligible and was only barred through a genuine administrative error of notification, that no consideration had been given to an alternative option that the decision was in the appeal board's view excessive.

"Therefore, that element of the appeal was upheld and the decision varied.

"The club are reinstated to The FA Cup Competition and are fined £1,000."

PA