NORTHWICH Victoria’s opponents in an FA Cup tie scheduled for next weekend have confirmed that the match has been postponed at the Football Association’s request.

A message from Marine’s Twitter account on Friday evening said the third qualifying round encounter on Saturday week, October 10, will not now take place.

 

 

“Further information will be released when received,” read a follow-up note.

In a statement issued later, the Crosby-based outfit published an e-mail sent to them by the game’s governing body that said Vics have been charged for picking an ineligible player in previous rounds.

It did not say who the individual is, nor in how many games he has featured.

"We were informed late on Friday afternoon by the FA of the need to investigate the chronological order of events relating to the registration of a player who has taken part in the previous two rounds," said Vics in a statement.

"We are co-operating fully, but feel it would be wrong to comment further until the matter is resolved."

The maximum sanction, if the charge is proven, is expulsion from the competition.

Additionally, the FA could request Vics pay back prize money earned as a reward for victories in games the individual player has taken part in.

A disciplinary panel may order the replay of a previous tie if Northwich show they could not have known – or had made every effort to check otherwise – their man was ineligible.

The Guardian has attempted to contact the FA, but a spokesman was not available for comment.

Jim Gannon’s men progressed to the next stage of this season’s edition following a 1-0 win at higher-ranked Hyde last weekend.

They had beaten AFC Blackpool, from the North West Counties League, in their previous tie.

Marine needed a replay – and extra time – to see off Northern League club Washington in midweek.