THE Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) is likely to come under severe criticism, particularly from affiliated members St Catherine Cricket Club and Melbourne CC, following its recent judgement handed down after the violation of one of its rules.

Yesterday in a communication issued to its members and the press, the sports local governing body made three rulings — two of which involved the ineligibility of a player.

Two identical incidents in the ongoing Junior Cup cricket competition saw both Police and Kensington Cricket Club losing any points gained in their match while being fined $5,000 by the Board for using an ineligible player.

Immediately, the Board’s decision has captured the attention of Melbourne and St Catherine CC, as both clubs joined forces in filing an appeal against a similar ruling now before the Supreme Court.

The premier domestic competition, the Super League, ended last year in a cloud of controversy after champions Manchester received a fine-only penalty despite being found guilty of using former national player Maurice Kepple, who was deemed ineligible to represent them.

Kepple, who was subsequently barred by the Board from representing Manchester, played in six of the seven league matches for the champions.

But the Board’s most recent ruling apparently contradicts its own rule regarding the use of an eligible player, which states that: ‘Should any club/parish be found guilty of a breach of this rule, then such a club/parish shall suffer a loss of any points gained in the match in which the breach was committed and/or may be fined’.

The Melbourne/St Catherine camp has argued that the word “shall” in the clause takes precedence, and means Manchester should be docked points, first and foremost.

But the Board, having overruled the decision of the Competitions and Complaints Committee, which initially ruled after the second round that Kepple could continue to represent Manchester, has read the clause as a conjunction, and suggested Manchester can either be penalised on one count or fined and as well as docked points.

In its ruling, the JCA said Manchester had no “dishonourable motive” to play Kepple, who is registered with Kensington Cricket Club, and “given the delay in arriving at and communicating a ruling on the matter,” points could not be deducted.

Manchester were fined $300,000 only for the breach.

Both sides have been to court on three occasions, the last being on January 7 this year, at which time Justice Ingrid Mangatal opted to review both arguments after which a judgement will handed down at a date to be announced.