The Irish Football Association has confirmed that Glentoran wish to take their Irish Cup expulsion to arbitration over the Joe Crowe eligibility affair.
As a result, the second semi-final of this season’s competition, between Ballymena United and Newry City, will not now proceed on Wednesday, April 13 as originally scheduled.
Newry were reinstated after losing 1-0 to Glentoran in the quarter-finals after it was found Crowe had been ineligible to feature in the tie. The Oval club was subsequently thrown out of the competition.
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The IFA’s Appeals Board dismissed an appeal by Glentoran on Friday and the East Belfast club has now opted to take the matter to arbitration.
In a statement on their website, the Irish FA said: “The Irish FA can confirm that an arbitration referral from Glentoran FC has been received today.
“The referral comes after the Irish FA’s Appeals Board dismissed an appeal by Glentoran against the decision of the Irish FA Challenge Cup Committee to uphold a protest lodged by Newry City AFC.
“It means the second semi-final in this season’s Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup (Newry City/Glentoran v Ballymena United) will now not be played on Wednesday 13 April as was provisionally scheduled.
“The Irish FA will communicate the arrangements for the outstanding semi-final tie when a timeline for arbitration has been determined.”
Ballymena United stated on Twitter: “The Irish FA have confirmed our Irish Cup Semi Final v Newry City next Wednesday evening is OFF.
“This is as a result of Glentoran seeking an arbitration referral. We have no details of any rearranged game at this time.”
Crusaders, who beat Cliftonville 2-1 in the last-four last Friday, await the winners of the second semi-final in the showpiece which is scheduled for Saturday, May 7.
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