UPDATE: Northern Roosters have withdrawn from FFV state league 3 north-west competition.
The soccer team was on top of the ladder and was set for promotion to state league 2.
Football Federation Victoria has confirmed the news.
Northern Roosters president Ali Uguz has been contacted for comment.
Star Weekly had reported that the Roosters overcame a shortage of players to cement their spot on top of the ladder with a 3-0 win over Essendon United on Saturday, July 12.
Injuries and players involved with Ramadan meant the Roosters entered the game against eighth-placed United with only one player on the bench.
In response to inquiries from Star Weekly, FFV’s acting CEO Matthew Annells said on Friday afternoon that earlier this month it detected an issue with the player registrations of Northern Roosters FC.
‘‘FFV identified that the vast majority of registrations, administered by one individual at the club, relied on apparently false player age details.
‘‘FFV conducted a full investigation into the matter and subsequently advised the club the outcomes of that investigation, of the following:
• The club was found to have fielded ineligible players for the competition round immediately prior to the commencement of the investigation;
• The club would play for no points until such time as it provided proof of identification for its players as requested by FFV at the beginning of the investigation; and
• The matter of the lodgement of apparently false player details was to be referred to the independent FFV Tribunal for determination.’’
Mr Annells told Star Weekly that Roosters had notified it about the withdrawal of all its teams from FFV competitions together with its membership with FFV.
‘‘FFV offered an opportunity for the club to retract its withdrawal and provide proof of identity. Unfortunately the club elected not to pursue that option.
‘‘Fixtures, results and league standings in men’s state league 3 north-west, men’s state league 3 north-west reserves, women’s state league 4 north and metropolitan league 6 north-west will be amended in accordance with the rules of competition. Notification of these amendments will be communicated to affected clubs within the relevant leagues on Monday, July 28.
‘‘FFV will assist any Roosters players who may wish to transfer to other clubs this year by waiving any outstanding registration fees unpaid by Northern Roosters FC and any other applicable transfer fees.’’
Any affected players should contact the FFV MyFootballClub department for assistance on 9474 1800 (select option 2) or myfootballclub@footballfedvic.com.au
