Sport / Whitedale crowned league champions after vote by clubs
WHITEDALE have been crowned league champions by Shetland Football Association (SFA) after a vote by its member clubs.
Lerwick Spurs have been docked six points for fielding an ineligible player in two matches and Whitedale – who finished level on points with Spurs – are set to be awarded the premier league title instead.
Spurs had lifted the trophy four months ago after beating Whitedale 4-2 in a title play-off.
The SFA hopes the decision will bring an end to a long-running and divisive saga.
Initially the SFA felt Spurs had no case to answer following a complaint from Whitedale, which was lodged before the play-off match.
But Scottish Amateur Football Association (SAFA) said in September that Spurs should be docked six points, for fielding the banned player in matches against Scalloway and Whitedale.
When the SAFA announced Spurs should be docked six points, that seemed to pave the way for Whitedale – who finished level on 27 points with Spurs – to be crowned champions instead.
However the SFA then said it would be up to its executive committee to decide whether the association cup was even awarded for the 2025 season.
A vote from member clubs last Thursday decided that Whitedale should be named as league champions, giving the club a first senior league title since 2018.
The clubs have sought to clarify in their decision, the SFA said, that they “did not feel there was any deliberate wrong-doing” from Spurs.
Instead, they believe that it was simply an “administrative error” from the club.
An SFA spokesperson confirmed to Shetland News that its executive committee had met last week and decided to uphold the decision from SAFA to dock Spurs six points.
This meant that the “logical decision” in the aftermath was to award Whitedale the title.
Spurs has been informed of the SFA’s decision, and are understood to be exploring their options.
One possible avenue for the club to appeal, if it decided to do so, would be to write to the Scottish Football Association.
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