Excelsior lose six points and Champions Cup spot, placed on probation until 2028 over ineligible player
Loading article...
Reigning Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Manning Cup champions Excelsior High School have been placed on probation for two years and stripped of points for using an ineligible player in the ongoing ISSA urban area football competition.
ISSA Competitions Officer Ewan Scott indicated that the player in question, who was not named, was in breach of academic and attendance rules.
The probation takes effect today and will remain in place until August 31, 2028.
A statement from ISSA said its Disciplinary Committee held a hearing today.
The association said the committee ruled that Excelsior breached ISSA’s Eligibility Rule – Academic and Attendance Performance, outlined on page 17 of the association’s Rules and Regulations Handbook.
As part of the sanctions, Excelsior will forfeit three points earned in every match in which the player participated.
In the Manning Cup, St Jago High School and Calabar High School will each be awarded a 3-0 victory and three points for their respective matches against Excelsior.
Meanwhile, Wolmer’s Boys’ School and Kingston Technical High School will play off to determine which team advances to the Champions Cup as Excelsior’s replacement.
Excelsior qualified for the Champions Cup after reaching the semi-finals of the Walker Cup, in which the ineligible player also participated.
ISSA said it expects Excelsior to ensure strict compliance with all applicable academic, attendance and player eligibility requirements throughout the period.
The association also urged all member institutions, coaches and student-athletes to familiarise themselves with and adhere to its rules and regulations to promote fairness, integrity and accountability in school sports.
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.