Final decision nears

October 2 2007

Shepparton News

A tribunal to decide the legitimacy of Shepparton's North Eastern Soccer League Grand Final win will be heard on Thursday as the league prepares to make a tough call.

Adrian Ingham's penalty in the shoot-out that decided the grand final between the Reds and Yoogali will be at the heart of the debate.

Ingham was substituted off the field for Mitchell Anderson in extra-time of the 1-1 draw.

Shepparton players and coaching staff have protested their innocence over Ingham taking the penalty, some saying they weren't even aware of his having been substituted during the second half.

Ingham did limp to the sidelines at one stage of extra-time, only to return to the field briefly before stopping to a walk.

At that point he was substituted for Anderson.

In a game where players were regularly going down with cramp Shepparton's Connor Campbell also hobbled out of the game with a calf injury.

Campbell and Ingham both stood in the centre circle with the other Shepparton players during the penalty shoot-out, while Yoogali's substituted players remained on the sidelines.

Proceedings to collect evidence about the grand final were started last Wednesday when Yoogali president Paul Fisher lodged an official complaint about Ingham's penalty.

After consultation with Football Federation of Victoria the league was advised to continue with its regular tribunal process.

At this stage the tribunal will have to rule on two matters; the first being who was at fault for Ingham stepping up to the penalty spot to begin with.

If the tribunal finds referee Angelo Spartaro and his assistants were at fault for allowing Ingham to take the penalty it will have no option under FIFA rules other than to order a replay.

The date and venue would have to be decided as well as a number of onfield matters including whether or not cards from the first grand final count towards the replay.