Result change announced for May 14 Fresno Fuego game
Use of ineligible player gives win to San Francisco City FC by forfeit
FRESNO, Calif. – The Premier Development League has changed the result of the May 14 match between the Fresno Fuego and San Francisco City FC played in Fresno, originally a 5-1 Fuego victory. By rule, SFCFC has been awarded a 3-0 win by forfeit, due to Fresno’s use of an ineligible player.
“We immediately recognized the violation and based on the integrity and sportsmanship we attempt to foster in our organization, contacting the league to discuss the consequences of the infraction was the right thing to do. An effort to appeal the decision based on the accountability of the league appointed mandatory fourth official was denied by the PDL, stated Fuego general manager Jeremy Schultz. It has been a challenging week for our team however through adversity we will find strength and continue to push to attain the goals of our franchise.
The Fuego fielded a player following the substitution allotment for the match being met, making that player ineligible. Fresno will lose the three points awarded for the win, plus an additional point for the illegal substitution. The three points will in-turn be awarded to San Francisco City FC.
“Due to these unfortunate circumstances, the league acted on the information presented to us, which resulted in Fresno having to forfeit the game and lose a point based on the PDL rules. We do respect Fresno proactively self-reporting this incident,” stated PDL Director Todd Eason
Following the Fuego’s 6-2 win over the Las Vegas Mobsters on Thursday evening, their record stands at 1-2-0 on the season, including the forfeit. Thursday’s win was the first match under newly-appointed interim head coach Brian Zwaschka.
#FresnoFuego
ABOUT THE FRESNO FUEGO
The Fresno Fuego are four-time Champions of the Southwest Division in the USL Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, the top level of amateur soccer in North America. Founded in 2003, the team competes in the newly-formed Central Pacific Division of the PDL Western Conference. More than 50 Fuego players have moved on to sign professional contracts. The team plays its home games in the heart of Downtown Fresno at Chukchansi Park. Season Tickets, Group and Birthday packages, and fundraising options for the 2016 season are currently available by contacting Jordan Wiebe at [email protected].