Exeter City, who host Carlisle United on Saturday, have been reprimanded over their FA Cup win over Bradford City on Tuesday.
They won the first round replay 3-0, scoring three times in extra-time – but made six substitutions, one more than permitted.
As a consequence, the FA have ordered the tie to be replayed, simply because there was some confusion over the sub’s rules in place this season. They could have been kicked out of the competition.
In this season’s competition, teams can make up to five substitutions in normal time. But in the replay City manager Matt Taylor then made a sixth at the start of extra-time, with Josh Key going on for Sam Nombe.
During last season’s FA Cup teams were allowed to make a sixth substitution in extra-time – but the FA rules do not state that can happen this season. The only other opportunity for a change to be made on top of the five permitted is in the case of a concussion substitution.
That was the case for Carlisle’s Zach Clough when he suffered a head injury against Barrow on Saturday in a league game and they were later able to make a fourth change.
However, Exeter say that the officiating team, on more than one occasion, confirmed to the City coaching staff that making the sixth substitution was something that they were permitted to do.
Bradford City made five changes, while Caolan Lavery had undergone an extensive warm-up and appeared ready to enter the field of play at one stage during extra-time.
Subsequent enquiries suggest that this was because the officials allegedly had informed Bradford that a sixth sub would be against the rules.
It is also understood that Exeter City had been given more than five ‘cards’ to use and hand-in to the officials when they wished to make a substitution.
City chairman Julian Tagg has been quoted since as saying: “It is a disappointment to be in this position after such a fantastic game.
“However, it would appear, having been in contact with the FA, that there was a lack of clarity about how and when, and how many, substitutions could be made.
“We will, of course, abide by the rules, but despite on numerous occasions seeking clarity with the fourth official, whose job it is, to provide the clarity that needed to be there was quite obviously not forthcoming.”
The FA Cup win stretched Exeter’s unbeaten run to 19 games with Carlisle up next for them at St. James Park.
But with the replay having to be staged again the result will be expunged, and Exeter will be back to 18 unbeaten when they host Carlisle on Saturday.
The replayed replay has been set for Tuesday, November 30.
