Aston Villa have been deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player during the Continental Cup group stage, resulting in Sunderland qualifying for the competition’s knock-out stages at Manchester United’s expense.
January signing Noelle Maritz was introduced as a second-half substitute during Wednesday’s 7-0 win over Sunderland. However, the full-back had already played in this season’s competition for former side Arsenal, which is contrary to competition rules.
A Football Association independent tribunal ordered the points deducted from Villa be awarded to Sunderland. As a result, Sunderland have leapfrogged Villa at the top of Group A with 10 points and qualified for the knockout stages, while Villa progress as one of the two best-placed runners up with nine points.
Tottenham Hotspur qualified as the other best-placed runner-up, having finished second to Arsenal in Group D with 10 points.
Manchester United had been on course to claim a best-placed runners-up spot before Villa’s points deduction after finishing second in Group B to Manchester City with nine points. However, the awarding of three points to Sunderland plus Villa’s superior goal difference sees United eliminated.
United said the decision “undermines the integrity of the competition and the…
