Capital Football's Disciplinary Committee (DC) has concluded an investigation into a potential breach of competition regulations by Upper Hutt City FC, which was brought to our attention by New Zealand Football, and confirmed that no disciplinary action will be taken against the club for this matter.

Following a DC Hearing relating to Section 23.6 of the 2025 Men’s Central League Regulations (player eligibility), the DC determined that there was no fault on part of Upper Hutt in regard to fielding the player in question. 

Fact Summary

• The player in question was found to have two player profiles at the end of June 2025. Capital Football were alerted to this by NZF and asked to investigate;
• “Profile A” resided with the player’s previous club which had a red flag placed against it at the end of the 2024 season;
• Player profiles lapse at the end of the season except for profiles which have red flags placed against them;
• As per communications from NZF in October of 2024 "After a red flag is placed against a player’s profile, it is the responsibility of the club to communicate to the player that the red flag has been placed on their profile and the reason for this. Failure to communicate may mean the red flag is considered invalid.";
• The Player denied having received notification of the red flag and the player’s previous club was unable to produce any evidence to the contrary;
• “Profile B” was created by the player when he moved to Wellington and self-registered via Sporty with Upper Hutt City FC for the 2025 season. FIFA Connect ID did not pick this up as a duplicate and it was not flagged at the beginning of the season;
• As per the regulations for competing in Men's Central League, the player provided his passport for sighting and signed an Amateur Player Agreement (APA) which were all valid and signed off by Capital Football staff;
• The player was playing for Upper Hutt City FC under Profile B in the Men's Central League until he left Wellington in June 2025.

The Decision

In consideration of the above the DC reached a decision that Profile A should have lapsed at the end of the 2024 season (the red flag having been found to be invalid) and that therefore the player was properly registered, and competing, under Profile B and no breach of the player eligibility requirements had occurred.

As a result, no points deduction or fixture forfeits will be applied, and Upper Hutt City FC retains its full competition points.

Article added: Friday 11 July 2025