Ex-QPR Player Leads to Expulsion of AFC Wimbledon's From FA Trophy

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Dons are expelled from FA Trophy
Darlington played for the "old" Wimbledon FC before joining Watford AFC Wimbledon have been expelled from the FA Trophy for fielding an ineligible player - and opponents Gravesend & Northfleet are reinstated.
The FA ruled that Dons midfielder Jermaine Darlington had not obtained international clearance after leaving Cardiff City last year.
The Dons won their second round tie at Gravesend 1-0 - but the Fleet will now face Rushden & Diamonds in round three.
Wimbledon must also repay £7,000 prize money from previous rounds.
A club statement read: "The decision is a consequence of an unfortunate administrative error and AFC Wimbledon is suffering a a result of an FA crackdown on such situations as evidenced by the sanctions imposed on Bury in relation to this season's FA Cup."
Bury were thrown out of the FA Cup after fielding an ineligible player in their second round tie against Chester - who were reinstated.
The FA decision is final and binding, and Wimbledon have no right of appeal.
However, the Dons have also been charged with a breach of Ryman League rules in relation to fielding Darlington in league games while he was ineligible. BBC

AFC DONS STATEMENT - Thursday 25 January 2007
After an FA disciplinary hearing today, the club has been informed that AFC Wimbledon have been removed from this season's FA Trophy competition and Gravesend & Northfleet have been reinstated. The club will also have to repay £7,000 of prize money from the first round and the third qualifying round.

The committee concluded that further FA sanctions would not be appropriate and therefore there has been no fine imposed and the club is free to enter the FA Trophy in future seasons.

The decision is a consequence of an unfortunate administrative error and AFC Wimbledon is suffering a a result of an FA crackdown on such situations as evidenced by the sanctions imposed on Bury in relation to this season's FA Cup.

The decision is final and binding and there can be no appeal.

The club has also been informed that the Ryman Football League is charging us with a breach of league rule 6.1 in fielding a player before having obtained an international transfer certificate.

The club will make a further statement at a later time. Dons

GRAVESEND STATEMENT
At a FA Trophy Sub-Committee meeting today, AFC Wimbledon were expelled from this season's competition after fielding an ineligible player in the Second Round Proper.
The club were charged on 19 January after Jermaine Darlington played in the tie against Gravesend & Northfleet on 13 January.

Darlington had previously played for Cardiff City and had not obtained international clearance before representing AFC Wimbledon, as required by competition rules.

As a result, Gravesend & Northfleet have been reinstated into the competition and will receive the £5,000 prize fund payment from the Second Round Proper. They will now play Rushden & Diamonds on 3 February.

In addition, as Darlington also played in the previous FA Trophy ties against Eastleigh and Aldershot Town, AFC Wimbledon have been ordered to repay the prize money received from these rounds, totalling £7,000. Gravesend

Jermaine Darlington Profile -
Date of Birth: 11/04/74
Profile: Became the first player to play League football for both Wimbledon FC and AFC Wimbledon when he signed in October 2006. Known by Dave Anderson from their non-league days at Aylesbury, Jermaine also enjoyed a distinguished professional career at QPR, Watford and Cardiff before returning to the Dons, where he has used his experience to quickly catch the eye with some composed and skilful displays on the left wing.

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