Alty charged over Robinson affair

The following statement over the Robinson affair has been released by Altrincham Football Club this afternoon:

Altrincham FC has been charged by The Conference with alleged infringement of Conference Rules 6.1 and 6.8. These charges relate to the playing of James Robinson, who was signed by Altrincham on non-contract terms from Accrington Stanley. Stanley allegedly failed to get international clearance for Robinson after he had played in Iceland. Ceefax reports that the FA, as opposed to the Conference, have charged both Stanley and Robinson. Should the Conference findings go against Altrincham, they could be deducted up to 18 points and fined. 18 points is the total gleaned in games in which Robinson either started or was a substitute. If this happens, Altrincham could then appeal and the FA would set up a panel to hear the case. So, a final decision in these circumstances would not be reached until into the summer close-season.
With Conference joint vice-chairman Phillip Wallace (Stevenage Borough chairman) being quoted as saying in last Sunday's NL Paper that "the final decision would have to come from the FA", it would appear that the Conference will not throw the case out. Wallace is joint chairman of the Conference with Charlie Clapham, the chairman of Southport, who are one of the clubs below Altrincham in the table.

Conference Rule 6.1 relates to the "Status of Players". The first sentence of this rule says that "The FA Rules will apply in respect of all matters concerning players" and its final sentence is, "It is the responsibility of each Club to ensure that any player signing a registration form for that club has, where necessary, the required International Transfer Certificate". Rule 6.8 is "Playing an Ineligible Player" and states that "Any Club found to have played an ineligible player in a match shall have any points gained from that match deducted from its record and have levied upon it a fine in accordance with the fines tariff. The Company may vary the decision in respect of the deduction of points gained only in a case where a substitute player participates in a match or is listed on the official team sheet but does not participate in the match".

Later a statement was released by Tamworth Football Club which, not unlike Forest Green last night, sought to distance the Lambs from the Robinson affair.

General Manager Russell Moore said: "I would like to place on record now that Tamworth Football Club has not made any complaint to the Football Association regarding the matter of James Robinson and/or Accrington Stanley and Altrincham Football Clubs.

"Tamworth Football Club learned of the situation with James Robinson and the above named clubs once it was put into the public domain with a statement on the Altrincham website. It was then, and only then, that Tamworth Football Club asked the Conference office for their clarification on the player?s eligibility. This was done following the harsh way we felt we, has a club, were treated last season following being found guilty of being in breach of such a rule.

"I would therefore like it to be public knowledge that no-one from Tamworth Football Club spoke with, or sought to bring this matter to the knowledge of, the Football Association."

Clarification that TFC was in no way responsible for bringing the matter to the FA's attention came from Mark Hooper of their Communications Department who states: "I am happy to confirm that the FA charges brought against Accrington Stanley and James Robinson resulted from the FA's own inquiries. The FA received no communication from Tamworth on this matter. I have made this clear to any journalists who have called me."

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