THE NIWFA Division Four final between Raceview of Ballymena and Antrim Town, which the association believed Raceview had forfeited when they failed to complete the fixture on Saturday, August 31, must now be rescheduled, the Irish FA football governing body has ruled.
Raceview had asked for the game to be played on another date, due to player unavailability arising from the fixture coinciding with the Royal Black Institution parade occurring in Ballymena on the same date.
NIWFA officials insisted it should go ahead and with Raceview not taking the field, they were considered to have forfeited.
Raceview, however, appealed to the Irish FA and, after consideration by an Appeals Board, who heard from club and NIWFA representatives, the overall governing body has ruled that the final must go ahead.
Publishing their ruling, an IFA statement said: “The Appeals Board take the view that the appeal shall be upheld. The NIWFA Division 4 Cup Final should be rescheduled by the Respondent on a mutually convenient date following consultation between the Appellant and their cup final opponent.”
