Dunfermline have lodged an appeal to the SFA against their expulsion from the Scottish Cup.
The Pars were booted out of the competition after fielding a suspended player, Callum Woods, during the 7-1 win over Stenhousemuir with several other registration mistakes also emerging.
Awaiting the ‘winners’ of the appeal is a home tie against Morton or Celtic which would put a smile on the face of the bank manager of either club with the game likely to be shown live on television, provided Morton aren’t creating headlines this time tomorrow.
It’s difficult to see how Dunfermline can appeal their expulsion, no matter how comprehensive their win was it did involve a player who shouldn’t have been playing.
Dunferlmline were clearly at fault but I would have thought that the match officials should be aware of players that are suspended when the team-lines are handed in.
Announcing the decision to expel Dunfermline SFA Chief Gordon Smith said: “It is unfortunate, but there was no alternative after the rules breaches.
“The integrity of the Active Nation Scottish Cup was paramount in the decision making process.”
There doesn’t seem any way back from that statement but perhaps making those comments when an appeal was a possibility could put the SFA in a difficult position.
The 5th round of the cup is due to take place on February 6, lets hope that it’s Celtic travelling to play Dunfermline or Stenhousemuir.