Jersey Bulls lose home advantage for FA Cup replay

The clubs drew 2-2 in their second-qualifying-round tie on Saturday afternoon, resulting in the need for a rematch one evening this week. It had initially been believed that the return fixture would be permitted to take place in Jersey without the need for negotiation with the governing body. However, it later emerged that tournament regulations for offshore clubs require replays to be played on the mainland.

Bulls officials sought dispensation to host the game at Springfield on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday of this week – rather than settling for another tussle in London – as it is believed that Rovers wanted the fixture to be played in Jersey.

It is understood that the dispensation was not granted.

Ian Horswell, Bulls’ chief executive, said: ‘We are disappointed for the Island and the footballing community as a whole that we won’t have the opportunity to host the FA Cup replay this week in Jersey.

‘The football club would like to ask the FA to review the ruling. The FA Cup is a national competition for clubs from the Premiership (effectively known as tier 1) all the way down to tier 10. This ruling effectively means that no matter how far an off shore club, such as Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man progresses, they will never play a home midweek game in the FA Cup. The club understands that teams in tier 1 to tier 8 are already required to play away from home midweek against an off shore clubs who come into their League and would like to request that this is mirrored in the FA Cup.’

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