Manning Cup title holders Excelsior High are set to face the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association’s (ISSA) Disciplinary Committee today regarding allegations of using an ineligible player, which would be the second for the season.

The Jamaica Observer has learnt that Excelsior received a slap on the wrist earlier in the season when a player was found to be ineligible, but no serious punishment was issued. It is said that that player was registered at Holy Trinity High, Mona High, and Excelsior.

However, the latest allegation is that a player was transferred from an overseas school and has not completed the mandatory one-year sit-out period.

The alleged offence has once again drawn attention to the association’s player-verification system.

The circumstances have raised questions about compliance with ISSA’s school-registration rules, which limit players to representing no more than two ISSA-member schools.

Sources familiar with the matter claim that ISSA established that the first offender had previously played for two schools before his registration at Excelsior. However, the information was reportedly contained in hard-copy records rather than the association’s digital database.

The source also questioned whether ISSA’s record-keeping procedures were sufficiently reliable to ensure that schools and players were properly vetted before being cleared to compete.

The apparent gap between the association’s digital records and its reported hard-copy documentation is likely to fuel calls for greater transparency and a more consistent verification process.

The case comes amid growing scrutiny of ISSA’s handling of player eligibility following the recent controversy involving Jamaica College (JC) and national youth footballer Jamone Lyle.

JC was removed from the Walker Cup competition after ISSA ruled against the school over Lyle’s professional contract with Jamaica Premier League outfit Waterhouse FC. The association also reversed JC’s Walker Cup semi-final victory over Mona High and imposed additional sanctions, including a suspension from the 2027 Walker Cup.

If Excelsior are found to be in breach, it could affect their place in the ongoing schoolboy football season.