What happens if my club plays me when I'm not eligible?

Under the FA Standard Code of Rules (which every sanctioned adult league's rules must follow), a club that plays an ineligible player (for example unregistered, suspended or registered with another club in the league) in a match where points are awarded:

• has the points gained from that match deducted, up to a maximum of 12 points, and
• is fined under the league's fines tariff.

The league's management committee can also:

• award the match points to the opponents
• deduct up to 3 further points
• order the match to be replayed

The points deduction can only be varied where the problem was a missing International Transfer Certificate or the player's status.

You are also ineligible if you weren't named to the referee before kick-off within the deadline in your league's rules. Separately, playing while suspended is misconduct, and the County FA can charge you personally.