THE chairmen of both Feniton and Phoenix Club have criticised the Devon FA's handling of a case which has seen both clubs docked four points for fielding suspended players.

Despite both clubs appealing the verdict, Feniton were also ejected from the Devon Senior Cup following the incident, which began during their 2-0 win over Phoenix in October.

Aaron Lee and Ashley Bailey of Phoenix and Feniton's Matt Kingdom all saw red late on after an altercation, although referee John Blakesley told both clubs he would not report the dismissals at the end of the match. He has since received a two-week suspension for his part in the saga.

Both teams then fielded the dismissed players in other games, unaware the Devon FA had learned of the sendings-off and suspended the players.

"It is unfortunate that ourselves and Feniton have been deducted points but if you are signed up to the Devon FA then you abide by their rules," said Phoenix chairman John Antat.

"It has left a bitter taste in our mouths. We went all the way to the Devon FA with witnesses and had the book thrown at us for our troubles.

"The referee told both clubs that he would not send in the reports and that should be his responsibility as a representative of the Devon FA."

Although it is a referee's duty to report sendings-off, new rules require clubs to confirm red cards should they not receive paperwork concerning the dismissals from the Devon FA.

Suspensions automatically begin 21 days after the dismissal, meaning Lee and Bailey played in Phoenix's 1-0 league win at Culm United while suspended.

Kingdom also played in Feniton's 7-1 win over Culm United, plus their Devon Senior Cup penalty shootout win over Woolsery when he should have missed out, and chairman Colin Bishop is still not satisfied with the outcome.

"The ref came up to us and Phoenix at the end of the game and said he thought he had been a little harsh and would not send in the reports," says Bishop.

"I do not realise as a club how we could have known that he changed his mind. We are always told the referee's decision is final and he told us he would not send in the reports.

"Being kicked out of the cup we feel would have been a suitable punishment, but losing the points is harsh.

"We have appealed but they would not change their decision. We have had the £100 it costs to appeal refunded which, we feel, shows the unique nature of the case.

"It does still rankle with us a bit. Most people would say move on but we are unhappy about it. We think it is all a bit harsh as there were faults on both sides."

The deductions could prove costly as Phoenix are second in Division One, 13 points behind leaders Exmouth Amateurs, with Feniton a further two points back in third.

But the Devon FA remain unmoved, insisting the protocol is clearly explained for all teams.

"If the paperwork is not received within 10-14 days then it is the club's responsibility to find out why it has not been sent in," said discipline secretary Richard Pallot.

"The rules are implicitly clear. On the Devon FA website there is a handbook explaining things.

"We now view the matter as closed."