Cliftonville Stripped of Women's League Cup as NIFL Hands Glentoran 3-0 Final Victory
Cliftonville Stripped of Women's League Cup as Glentoran Awarded 3-0 Final Win
Cliftonville's hopes of a domestic treble have been ended after the club was stripped of its Women's League Cup title for fielding two ineligible players in the final.
Beaten finalists Glentoran lodged a complaint with the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) following their 4-0 defeat in July's showpiece at Seaview, and have now been awarded a 3-0 victory in place of the original result. Cliftonville have also been fined £500.
Registration breach behind the ruling
NIFL confirmed the outcome of its investigation into the July final, stating that the two players involved had not been properly registered for the competition.
"The NIFL competitions committee found that the two players had not been correctly registered in accordance with the competition regulations," the league said.
The governing body also praised the club's conduct during the process, adding: "The competitions committee acknowledges and thanks Cliftonville Ladies for its openness, integrity and full co-operation throughout the investigation."
The ruling means Glentoran, who had been on the receiving end of a heavy defeat on the day, are now recorded as 3-0 winners of the competition.
What Cliftonville lose
The decision removes what the side believed was a fourth successive title in the competition, a run built on the victory at Seaview in which Caitlin McGuinness scored twice, with her sister Kirsty McGuinness and Danielle Maxwell also on the scoresheet.
Beyond the trophy, the treble ambitions of the north Belfast club are now over, with the league crown already secured and a cup final still to come.
Windsor Park rematch looms
Cliftonville and Glentoran will meet again in the Women's Irish Cup final at Windsor Park on 24 October, with the two clubs now set for a rematch carrying considerable edge given the off-field outcome of their last meeting.
Cliftonville arrive at that fixture having already won the league, finishing nine points clear of their cross-city rivals.