UEFA to discuss Sliema protest on Thursday

UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Board will convene in Nyon on Thursday to discuss the protest filed by Sliema Wanderers against the result of the second leg of their UEFA Cup first qualifying round match against Bulgaria's Litex Lovech.

Sliema are calling on UEFA to declare the result of the match, won by Litex 4-0, null and award them qualification to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup on the grounds that their Bulgarian opponents fielded an ineligible player in the second leg.

At Ta' Qali, Litex beat Sliema 3-0 in the first leg tie.

The case revolves around Litex striker Ivelin Ivanov Popov (no. 32) who Sliema allege was not listed on the official teamsheet presented by the home team prior to the match.

The Wanderers attached a copy of Litex's teamsheet to the protest letter they sent to Peter Limacher, UEFA's Head of Disciplinary Services, to back their claim.

According to the teamsheet given to Sliema before the match at the Gradski Stadium, Litex put down the names of 10 starting players plus seven substitutes but Popov's name was conspicuous by its absence.

Officials' reports

It is believed that UEFA have already received the reports of the match delegate, Yves Bourgnon, Ukrainian referee Sergiy Berezka and fourth official Andriy Shandor.

Litex have until midnight today to submit a written statement on the case.

They were drawn against Albanian team Besa Kavaje in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup, pending UEFA's decision on Sliema's protest.