UniSA has withdrawn all of its senior teams from Football South Australia’s State League 2 competition
State League 2 clubs restricted to two imports per team sheet after Vipers last year challenged Football South Australia and won.
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Football South Australia chief executive Michael Carter confirmed UniSA has withdrawn all of its teams from the 2020 senior men’s State League 2 leaving the competition lopsided with 11 clubs.
UniSA was expected to play its first scheduled match against Pirates at Taperoo Reserve on February 21.
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“Football South Australia were last night (Tuesday) informed officially that Uni A would be withdrawing their senior teams from State League 2 in 2020 due to lack of players,’’ Carter said five days after The Advertiser asked why the club was pulling out of the competition.
“The club is committed to continuing to field collegiate league and junior teams in 2020.
“The club has an outstanding debt of circa $2,000 with Football SA and this is not expected to be at risk.”
Meanwhile Carter said State League 2 clubs would be able to field two players per team sheet in 2020.
Vipers last year challenged the federation on the ruling and won before the club was promoted to state league 1.
Vipers was threatened with a 15-point deduction for an alleged breach of playing too many imports.
Last year the third-tier FIFA sanctioned competition according to Carter did not have to comply with Football Federation’s National Premier League rules and regulations.
Unlimited imports were allowed per State League 2 club from August.
“State League 2 clubs can register as many visa players as they like,’’ Carter said.
“However can only ever list on their senior (first team) team sheet two on any given round.
“This has always been the intention of the rule, however the rule has been reworded for further clarity in 2020.”