Sligo Rovers have been docked three league points by the FAI for fielding a suspended player during last week's 2-0 home win against Dundalk in SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
An independent Disciplinary Committee determined following a hearing that midfielder Adam McDonnell played in the game last Monday week, August 29th at the Showgrounds, while suspended.
Rovers won the match 2-0 but the Committee has ruled that Sligo Rovers FC will forfeit the fixture by a scoreline of 0-3.
In a statement responding to the FAI verdict on Wednesday, Rovers said that while an administrative error made on the club's behalf, the issue was compounded by the omission of the player’s name from two weekly suspension lists issued by the FAI to all clubs which, Rovers say, led to confusion.
The verdict is a significant setback to the club's European qualification hopes next season as they now find themselves 10 points adrift of fourth-placed St Patrick's Athletic in the Premier Division table.
The top three league finishers will qualify automatically for Europe next season.
The fourth-placed team will also make it provided one of Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk or Derry City lifts this season's FAI Cup.
It's not known yet if Rovers can or will appeal Wednesday's decision.
The club says it will take further legal advice on the outcome.
