Noelle Maritz featured in Aston Villa's 7-0 win over Sunderland, but had played for Arsenal earlier in the Conti Cup; an independent tribunal finds the Midlands club guilty of breach, but they avoid expulsion; Manchester United lose status as one of two best runners-up and exit
Tuesday 30 January 2024 12:44, UK
Manchester United have said they "do not understand the rationale" for their elimination from the Conti Cup as a consequence of Aston Villa fielding an ineligible player.
It was confirmed last Thursday that the FA was investigating after Aston Villa possibly fielded an ineligible player during their Conti Cup game the night before.
Noelle Maritz came on as a substitute during Villa's 7-0 win over Sunderland having previously played for Arsenal in the competition.
Following an independent tribunal, the game has subsequently been awarded to Sunderland, meaning Marc Skinner's side have been eliminated from the competition, having lost their status as one of the best two best-placed runners-up.
United released a quick response to the news.
"We are very disappointed with this outcome, and do not understand its rationale," said their statement.
"We feel that it undermines the integrity of the competition, and of the women's game."
Earlier, a statement released by the FA on Monday said an independent tribunal had confirmed the rule breach and that Villa's punishment was a three-point deduction, not expulsion from the competition altogether.
"The FA alleged that the player was ineligible for this game, as she had previously featured in the competition for her former club, which constitutes a breach of Cup Rule 8.19," it read.
"Aston Villa admitted this charge and acknowledged the breach had occurred. The independent tribunal ordered that the points deducted from Aston Villa be awarded to their opponents Sunderland, while the 7-0 scoreline is to be expunged from the record.
"As a result, Sunderland will finish as Group A winners, with Aston Villa progressing to the quarter-finals as one of the two best-placed runners-up alongside Tottenham Hotspur."
Speaking after the Manchester derby defeat to Man City the same night, Man Utd head coach Skinner said his team should not be punished if an error has been made.
"I think the interpretation is about the sole game but, for me, we've come through the hardest group in second place - the hardest group in the land, by the way; no Championship teams within our grouping," he told Sky Sports.
"We've gone through on nine points, which is a runners-up tally you should achieve, and I'm hearing about an ineligible player in another game.
"It needs to be decided within the next day or two and I'm hopeful the people making the decisions will make the right one, which is us to go through."
Sky Sports News contacted Aston Villa for comment. Sunderland declined to comment.
