Stevenage Cleared on International Call-up Postponement

At a hearing of the EFL’s independent Disciplinary Commission held by video link on 23rd April, League 2 side Stevenage were cleared of charges relating to the postponement of the Oldham Athletic game on 16th November.

Stevenage had the game postponed because they had three players on international duty, but the EFL said that only two had been called up and had sought a points deduction and a £15,000 fine.

The players at the centre of the controversy were Afghanistan’s Noor Husain, Antigua and Barbuda defender Luther James-Wildin and Guyana’s Terence Vancooten. The problem arose with James-Wildin’s as he was injured and did not travel to the Caribbean, but his call-up was never formally revoked by the Antigua and Barbuda FA.

The independent disciplinary commission dismissed the case on 23 April.

Stevenage Chairman Phil Wallace speaking on the Club’s website said:-

This case should never have been brought in the first place. As it was, we had to endure an all-day hearing by video with both sides represented by barristers, before the Commission cleared us of all charges.

The length of time the Commission took to reach this conclusion – 15 minutes – says everything about the case. We are greatly indebted to Nick De Marco QC who represented us in the hearing and who did such an excellent job to ensure that justice was done.