Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) were advised by the Perform and Win Committee that they had considered a breach of competition rules by Central Girls FA, pertaining to their Scottish Building Society SWPL 2 fixture against Heart of Midlothian Women (October 21st).
The Perform and Win committee also operates as the League Management Committee and is chaired by SWF Board member Karen McGowan. This committee is comprised of 3 Scottish FA nominated personnel, and 3 club representatives from across the senior women’s game. This committee is responsible for governing the senior game in accordance with the League and League Cup competition rules and seeks to apply these rigorously and without favour.
After convening a meeting, the committee determined that the below rule had been breached:
Competition Rule 10(h): “Any club without just cause failing to fulfil its fixture obligations in respect of any such match in the League on the appointed date or dates shall be liable to such sanctions as the Management Committee may determine, but not limited to including the deduction of points, fine or expulsion.”
The committee agreed that Central did not have just cause for failing to fulfil their fixture and due to the short notice provided, the club will be fined £1000 with £500 suspended until the 31st October 2019 and the result of the match be awarded 3-0 to Hearts. Should Central breach any further competition rules within this time frame the club will be liable to pay the full sanction.
The committee noted that a breach of Competition Rule 10(h) is not acceptable within the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
Since this match was not fulfilled, Central are liable for the associated costs incurred by Hearts.
The result and league table have been updated accordingly. SWF acknowledges Central Girl’s right to appeal and will make no further comment on this matter.
