IMPLICATIONS of a deal signed between Jersey Bulls and star forward Sol Solomon have come to the fore this week, following news that the 21-year-old is ineligible to play in Saturday’s Muratti Vase final.
It is understood that Solomon signed an FA-registered contract with the Combined Counties League club late last year, which has, unintentionally, deemed him unavailable for selection by Island manager Martin Cassidy.
Inter-insular rules stipulate that a player who is contracted to a non-Channel Islands club, or is renumerated for playing football, cannot appear in a senior Muratti fixture.
The JEP understands that the Jersey FA were made aware of the contract in recent weeks, with their counterparts in Guernsey bringing it to their attention. It was only then that the player became aware of the consequences.
Solomon, who has attracted interest from numerous professional and semi-professional clubs in recent seasons, was a key figure in the Bulls’ record-breaking FA Cup run this term and ended the campaign with 38 goals to his name. He has yet to appear in a senior Muratti fixture but was able to help Jersey’s under-21s to victory in the Ambassadeur Bowl earlier this month, due to the eligibility rules differing from those imposed at senior level.
Bradley Vowden, the Jersey FA president said: ‘We’re very disappointed as an association that Sol is unable to play. He will be a loss to us, as he would be to any team.’
Cassidy has named a 16-man squad for the clash with Guernsey, including St Peter FC’s teenage goalkeeper Piers Roche.
The 2022 men’s Muratti is due to begin at 2pm at Springfield Stadium on Saturday; the first final since 2019, when the Caesareans triumphed 3-1 on penalties at Footes Lane.
