THERE HAVE been calls for repeat non-fielding offenders in Donegal League games to face a possible points deductions.
A motion to Tuesday night’s annual general meeting from Whitestrand United proposed an amendment to the rule dealing with with failure to field.
Whitestrand’s proposal, that fines are now made ‘on a scale that takes into account previous failure to field over a period of three seasons’, was eventually defeated with only seven delegates in favour.
The current system of a walkover 3-0 win being awarded to the opposition and a fine of up to €130 imposed would still remain. Whitestrand proposed that the fine in the second year be doubled and that if a third instance occurred that the penalty increase to €130 and a ‘an appropriate points deduction’ be imposed
“We have experience of a particular club, who haven’t visited Whitestrand in four years,” Whitestrand delegate James Kelly told the meeting.
“The thinking behind this motion isn’t so much to get money in, but to discourage teams from, year after year, saying ‘we’re not going’. There is no rule or incentive to discourage it.
“As things stand, it can go on and on. It’s very exhausting. Players come from all parts to be with you and the next thing, the fixture is gone.”
The motion failed with 28 votes to seven against it.
For the 2019/20 season, clubs will be limited to one free weekend over the season, with the request to be made 28 days in advance of the game.
This proposal was also made by the Whitestrand club.
Kelly said: “The underlying tone here is to reduce the amount of inactivity over the season. We had long periods with no games. We went six weeks without a match this season and it’s very hard to keep the interest.”
This motion was carried on a 22-8 majority.
