Published 5 hours ago • loading... • Updated 17 minutes ago
Do-over: FA Cup Game to Be Replayed because of Referee Error
The Football Association ordered a replay of the FA Cup second qualifying round tie between Mulbarton and Woodford Town on Tuesday, 29 September after an FA sub-committee found a technical error in the referee's application of Law 14 during the 30th minute of Saturday's match.
Woodford protested a referee's misapplication of Law 14 during the 30th minute, when the official disallowed a penalty goal due to encroachment but awarded an indirect free-kick instead of ordering a retake as required.
Mulbarton won 2-1 at Woodford, scoring twice in the second half to advance further than ever before, though the FA initially rejected the protest before referring the matter to a Professional Game Board sub-committee.
Woodford thanked the FA for ensuring the tie could be concluded in accordance with FA Cup rules, while Mulbarton stated the decision is "final and binding and there is no right of appeal" and expressed being "deeply upset" about implications for game integrity.
The replay threatens Mulbarton's scheduled third qualifying round encounter with Gloucester City on Saturday, 3 October, raising questions about result finality across future FA Cup matches and the integrity of competition rules.