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Top-flight Welsh side Pontypridd United have been handed an astonishing 141-point deduction for player contract breaches, but they will only be docked six points this season.
The Cymru Premier strugglers were second bottom of the league standings before being found guilty on all 18 chargers levied by the Football Association of Wales.
On Monday, the FAW released a statement announcing the punishment, though mercifully for Pontypridd, only six points will be docked from their total this season with the remaining 135 suspended until the end of the next campaign.
‘An investigation by the Football Association of Wales into the contractual status of players at Pontypridd United was undertaken following complaints made by players of alleged breaches of their professional contracts.’ The statement from the Welsh FA read.
Pontypridd United have been docked six points immediately but could face a further 135
Andrew Stokes’s side now find themselves bottom of the league table, four points adrift of Aberystwyth
The club have been allowed to continue their Nathaniel MG Cup campaign and face Cardiff Met next Tuesday in the quarter-finals of Wales’ equivalent of the League Cup
‘The investigation led to disciplinary charges being issued to the Club for the alleged breach of FAW Rules and Regulations.
The matter was referred to an independent arbitration panel, appointed by Sport Resolutions. Led by an appointed KC, the independent arbitration panel recently heard the case and has provided its decision to both parties.
‘In total, the FAW issued 18 (eighteen) charges against Pontypridd United under FAW Rules 38.1.1 and 38.1.2, for the alleged breach of the following Rules and/or Regulations: FAW Rule 67; 71.1; 72(A)(i), FAW Comet Regulation 7.2, Cymru Premier Rule 14.1, Cymru Premier League Cup Rule 15.
They then also listed what the charges related too. Firstly, Pontypridd were found to have not paid money owed to players. They also failed to comply “with their contractual obligations towards players” and failed to “register players correctly in accordance with FAW Rules and Regulations.’
Unsurprisingly, the punishment has sent Pontypridd to the bottom of the league table, four points adrift of Aberystwyth.
The side were removed from the Welsh Cup for the rest of the season before the investigation got underway but they have been allowed to continue their Nathaniel MG Cup campaign.
