Eircom League: Shels consider action on St Pat's

Shelbourne’s board of directors will meet in Dublin today to consider what action to take over the latest twist in the Paul Marney affair.

Last year, the Eircom League deducted nine points from St Patrick’s Athletic for fielding Marney in the first three games of this season, despite the fact that he was unregistered.

However, those nine points were reinstated last week following a ruling from an FAI arbitrator, moving St Pat’s to top spot in the Premier Division, two points clear of Shelbourne.

Shels officials reacted with anger to last week’s decision, with manager Dermot Keely saying the rules about unregistered players are clear.

Under Eircom League regulations, a club can be deducted three points for every game in which they field an illegal player.

Shelbourne are now considering if they should take High Court action or appeal the decision to FIFA’s Arbitration Tribunal for Football.

The club is also considering the possibility of withdrawing from the FAI Cup in protest at the Marney u-turn.