Hereford and Torquay punished

06 April 2011 16:30

Hereford have been docked three points by the Football League for fielding an ineligible player while Torquay have also been hit with a one-point deduction for the same offence in the same npower League Two match.

A Football League disciplinary hearing in Bristol has also resulted in a £10,000 for both clubs, with £7,500 understood to be suspended until the end of the season.

Hereford have revealed their intention to appeal against the decision while Torquay are also considering their options.

Rob Purdie is the Bulls player at the centre of what Hereford, at the time, described as a "genuine administrative oversight in the very hectic hours leading up to the transfer deadline".

Torquay striker Jake Robinson, on loan from Shrewsbury, was also not eligible to play in the February 1 fixture which the Bulls won 3-1 at Plainmoor.

Speaking following Wednesday afternoon`s ruling, Hereford chairman David Keyte told United`s official website: "I am very disappointed at the outcome, we will definitely be appealing the decision."

Keyte's response was similar to that of Torquay director Bill Phillips, who said: "We are obviously disappointed.

"We have 28 days to appeal so there is time to consider our options."

Both rulings have the potential to cause a big stir at either end of the League Two table, with Hereford starting the day just eight points above the relegation zone and Torquay occupying the final play-off place by a single point.

Based on the table as it stands, should the rulings be upheld, Hereford would drop from 19th to 21st while Torquay would cling onto seventh spot by virtue of goal difference over eighth-placed Gillingham.

Source: PA