Tribunal to hear Cobram protest tonight

June 22 2010

Shepparton News

Cobram's protest of round eight's loss to Cobram Victory in which suspended English player Adam Gatcum was given league permission to play will finally be heard at the tribunal tonight.

Cobram says Goulburn North East Football Association president Frank Trimboli should not have given Victory the green light to play Gatcum as it was contrary to FFA and league regulations.

Trimboli defended his position citing GNEFA by-law 8.2 that stipulates, somewhat ambiguously, that a suspension must be served at the same level of competition that it was received.

The tribunal was to meet last Tuesday, but according to association board member Sam Saracino it was postponed one week so all tribunal panel members could attend.

"Basically it was a timing thing to make sure everyone was available more than anything," Saracino said.

"It's really nothing more than that, there's nothing sinister about it.

"Getting a panel was difficult last week with the long weekend and all that sort of stuff."

Saracino said the board had also used the time to investigate the validity of Cobram's ability to protest the league's original decision.

"What we wanted to establish was that we were all on the same page and to make sure that we were doing the right thing," he said.

"We wanted to make sure they (Cobram) could (legally) challenge a decision that was made by the board - and they can."

Saracino denied the board overruled Trimboli to ensure the matter went to the tribunal.

"There was no vote, it was just a case of checking and ticking off boxes and once you look at the rules and the jurisdiction of the tribunal and have a look at protests, it's pretty black and white that they (the tribunal) have to hear it," Saracino said.

Gatcum played again in Victory's 2-1 win over Shepparton South on Sunday.

The hearing will begin at 7 pm.