Portadown FC says it is "disappointed" after its appeal on the matter surrounding the game against Newry City on December 4th was dismissed by the Irish FA Appeals Committee.
The Shamrock Park outfit were informed on Monday that the decision to award Darren Mullen's side a 3-0 win would stand.
The Ports originally won the game at Newry Showgrounds 3-1 but an investigation was launched post-match after midfielder Alberto Balde was removed from the starting line-up before kick-off.
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The former Middlesbrough man was named amongst the substitutes and ended up coming on in the first half replacing the player who started in front of him, Leo Donnellan, after he picked up an injury.
The NIFL Competitions Committee reviewed the documentation and Portadown were found to have breached rule 20(h), which states: "Should any nominated player or substitute sustain an injury or become otherwise incapacitated after the submission of the team sheet to the referee and before the kick-off he may be replaced provided that the referee and the opposing club are informed prior to kick-off."
As a result Newry were awarded a 3-0 victory and Portadown were fined £500.
The Shamrock Park club said they would appeal "immediately as we believe the correct procedures were followed throughout".
However, the Ports hopes of clawing back the points to help aid their Premiership survival have now been dashed following the Appeals Committee's ruling.
A statement released by the club said they "firmly believe we have acted with integrity" throughout the process.
"This morning Portadown Football Club received notice that our appeal on the matter surrounding our match with Newry City AFC on 4th Dec 2022 was dismissed by the IFA Appeals Committee," said the statement.
"We would like to place on record our sincere disappointment on the outcome and firmly believe we have acted with integrity throughout the process."
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