What happens if a club plays an ineligible player?

Q: What happens if a club plays an ineligible player?

Under NSL Handbook Rule 58.2, if an ineligible player takes part in a match, which includes simply being on the team sheet or the substitutes' bench at any time, the club that fielded them: forfeits the match, and is fined at least R100,000 The player can also be sanctioned. An opponent who suspects a player is ineligible must lodge a written objection with the referee and the opposing captain at least 30 minutes before kick-off to protest at the match (Rule 51.3). A complaint about a player's registration can also be laid within 40 days of the close of the registration period in which the player was registered (Rule 52.2).

Question

Accepted Answer

Under NSL Handbook Rule 58.2, if an ineligible player takes part in a match, which includes simply being on the team sheet or the substitutes' bench at any time, the club that fielded them:

forfeits the match, and
is fined at least R100,000

The player can also be sanctioned.

An opponent who suspects a player is ineligible must lodge a written objection with the referee and the opposing captain at least 30 minutes before kick-off to protest at the match (Rule 51.3). A complaint about a player's registration can also be laid within 40 days of the close of the registration period in which the player was registered (Rule 52.2).