FA Cup tie to be replayed after investigation with both teams set to break protocol if match is draw

AN FA Cup tie is set to be replayed after an investigation into the eligibility of a player.

The first-round clash between Forest Green Rovers and National League North side Scarborough Athletic will be played again on December 12.

The first match ended in a 5-2 win for the League Two side.

However, it will have to be played again as confirmed by Forest Green Rovers.

A club statement read: "Following an FA investigation into the eligibility of a Forest Green Rovers player, our FA Cup first-round tie at Scarborough Athletic will be replayed on Tuesday, December 12.

"The tie will be settled on the night, with no replay in the event of a draw.

"The winner of the tie will play Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, December 19."

The fixture will break protocol as there is no chance of a replay being played if it were to end in a draw.

If the match ends in a draw then there will be extra time and a penalty shootout if needed.

Forest Green Rovers were charged by the FA for fielding an ineligible player in the original fixture.

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That player was Callum Jones.

Jones was registered with Rovers but did not have the necessary loan permission from parent club Hull to play in th ecompetition.

However, the FA did not make this clear to Forest Green prior to the game, which is why the club have avoided being booted out of the competition.

The club admitted to the charge with the game set to be replayed.

A statement from the FA read: "A Professional Game Board Sub-Committee has ordered the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper tie between Forest Green Rovers and Scarborough Athletic to be replayed on Tuesday 12 December at 19:45. 

"The FA charged Forest Green Rovers for fielding an ineligible player in the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper tie against Scarborough Athletic.

"This constitutes a breach of FA Cup Rule 109, and Forest Green Rovers subsequently admitted this charge. 

"Forest Green Rovers will now play away to Scarborough Athletic in a one-off match on Tuesday 12 December.

"The winner will travel away to Blackpool for a Second Round Proper match on Tuesday 19 December."

The winners will face Blackpool in the second round of the FA Cup on December 19.