League rules ‘not being applied equally’

The rules of the Clare Schoolboys Soccer League are not being applied equally across the board, according to the league secretary, Ciarán O’Dea.
The league official made his comments this week after his club, West Clare United, were omitted from the draw for the U-12 Cup semi-finals, despite having won their way to the last four of the competition.
The decision to omit West Clare United was made following a claim that the club has failed to pay two fines.
“I have requested that an appeal be heard by the committee of the CSSL. I haven’t received an answer. I will be considering my position after the next CSSL meeting and the decision of that meeting in relation to this issue,” Mr O’Dea told The Clare Champion.
According to Clare Schoolboys League chairman, Tommy Molloy “appeals can only be dealt with by the SFAI”. He went on to say that a committee meeting is scheduled for next Monday night.
“As a result of what I believe to be an attempt to divert attention away from the serious issues that need dealing with by the committee of the Clare Schoolboys-girls Soccer League, a small club in West Clare has been unjustly fined and removed from an U-12 cup semi-final,” Mr O’Dea said.
Mr O’Dea alleged, “The issues that need to be dealt with by the CSSL range from financial to the dissatisfaction of clubs at the running of leagues, the overstepping by some members of their authority and the inability of others to fulfil their roles.
“The dissatisfaction among clubs is so rampant that I have been forwarded information relating to the unequal financial treatment of clubs by a member of the committee.”
Chairman Molloy said, “No club is favoured above another.
“As far as I am concerned, everything is above board. If clubs have a problem, the door is open for them to come in and talk to us.
“At the end of the day, I don’t wan to see any club thrown out of the league but I have to see that the rules are implemented.”
Mr O’Dea said, “The procedure in issuing those fines was not followed. It is unacceptable that children are penalised as a result of decisions taken or not taken by adults.”