VAUGHAN—Tuesday, July 31, 2001
TORONTO CROATIA HIT HARD FOR
USING INELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Forfeit
games, heavy fines in CPSL shakeup
Toronto Croatia have been found
guilty of using ineligible players in league and cup games in the
CPSL.
The use of goalscorer Josef Bucic without obtaining an international clearance from the appropriate soccer governing body in Croatia, and a similar infringement of CSA eligibility rules in playing A. Asanovic, a high profile Croatian former national team player with First Division experience in several countries who listed his previous club as being in Australia, brought heavy fines and forfeiture of games.
The CPSL discipline committee reversed three league games in June, two wins by Croatia over York Region Shooters and Toronto Supra and a tie with North York Astros. The games were awarded to these teams by a 1-0 score.
Additionally, an OZ Optics League Cup Group C qualifier which ended in a win for Croatia against Toronto Supra was reversed, also by a 1-0 score. Toronto Croatia also incurred fines of $4,000.
"We regret having to penalize any team this way and especially a club with a long history and wonderful tradition in Canadian soccer like Toronto Croatia, but we must safeguard the integrity of the league and the game of soccer," explained CPSL president Vincent Ursini in releasing the details this week. "We just don't expect this to occur in a league of the stature of the CPSL and would hope this will never be repeated."
The standings have been adjusted to reflect these changes.
For further information concerning this case, media should contact Stan Adamson, director of media and PR, or Clifford Dell, chair of the CPSL Discipline Committee or Vincent Ursini, CPSL president. Arrangements can be made by calling (905)856-5439.
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