The player was a Gala player, dual registered with the appellants Gala YM - his secondary club. Having played for the higher placed club (Gala) on nine occasions in national competitions this season, the player was not permitted to play any matches for the lower placed club (YM), as per Rule 5.3.3.

The ERCC had originally imposed a sanction totalling 19 points in respect of the number of points earned by the lower placed club (Gala YM) in the four league games played by the player.

In the appeals hearing the panel concluded that, while the breach merited sanction, the sanction imposed was unduly harsh in terms of Rule 14.3.1 while also ruling that there was no reason to differentiate between any game where an ineligible player is fielded, no matter what the result was of that match.

The appeals panel upheld the appeal on the above grounds only and agreed that the appropriate sanction was
to substitute 12 points for 19 (three points for every match affected), in line with Rule 14.6.3.

National Competition Rule 5: Registration, transfer and player eligibility
5.3.3 - Once a dual-registered player has played six national competition matches for the higher placed club, they will be
ineligible to play for the lower placed club for the remainder of the season
14.3.1 - The decision of the championship convener, championship secretary and/or other body or individual appointed to
assist with the organisation of specific competitions was unduly harsh or oppressive
14.6.3 - Uphold the appeal in part by setting aside part only of the decision appealed against and/or modify any sanction
imposed