HUMBLE Lions FC Head Coach Vassell Reynolds says they feel “disappointment”, “frustration” and “let down” after learning they were docked points from their 2-1 win over Montego Bay United (MBU) in Sunday’s return-round Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League game played at WesPow Park in Tucker, St James.

A goal against the run of play from substitute Javain Thompson, deep into extra time, had given Humble Lions the victory after they had won the first-round game 3-2.

However, Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) Competitions Committee confirmed on Monday that Humble Lions had used an ineligible player, identified as Roshane Sharpe, who should have missed the game after he had being cautioned a fifth time in the competition.

Reynolds blamed “negligence by the management [of the team]”, telling the Jamaica Observer, “the coaching staff was not aware” of the situation, and said they felt “let down.”

A press release from the JFF’s Competitions Committee late Monday said, “Please be advised that match # 130 – Montego Bay United FC vs Humble Lions FC, played 18 February, has been awarded to Montego Bay United FC by a scoreline of three goals to nil (3-0). Humble Lions FC was found to be in breach of Article 17.2 and 18.3.i of the 2023-24 JPL Regulations.

“As per Article 7.2: Any club found guilty of fielding an ineligible player shall forfeit the match. Victory of three goals to nil (3-0) and the resultant three points will be awarded to the opposing team.”

The release says that according to Article 18 of the rules, if a player receives five cautions in five different matches “of the same competition in competitions organised by Fifa or JFF”, they will “incur automatic suspension from the next match”.

It was also said that “player Roshane Sharpe has not served his one-match suspension and must miss his club next game”.

“I feel it for the players,” Reynolds said. “We all saw the gutsy performance, the fight against a very good Mobay United team. They did what few teams have done — to win at WesPow Park — and we are very disappointed.”

As a result, Humble Lions reverted to 11th place on 18 points while MBU closed the gap on seventh-place Dunbeholden on 26 points, matching their total for all of last season when they just missed relegation.

Andre Clennon had given Humble Lions the lead in the 38th minute when he scored from close range but MBU levelled in the 60th minute through a penalty from Jean Claudio Rios Ferreira.

Thompson, who replaced Clennon in the 78th minute, scored what was thought to be the winner when he dribbled from his own half — after Humble Lions cleared a corner — into the MBU area and beat the fast-retreating goalkeeper William Ferreira from just inside the 18-yard box.