BURY manager Chris Casper has described the decision to kick the club out of the FA Cup as "a massive injustice".

The Coca-Cola League Two club have been penalised after Stephen Turnbull, currently on loan at Gigg Lane from Hartlepool, was included in their side for the second round replay against Chester on December 12.

Bury selected Turnbull without receiving the required permission from Hartlepool and lodging that permission with the Football Association - also failing to comply with the required timescales for registration of players for the competition.

Chester have now been reinstated in the competition and are scheduled to face Championship side Ipswich in January's third round.

City will also receive the prize fund payment due to second round winners.

Message

Bury have confirmed, however, that they will take the right to appeal - scheduled for December 28 - in the coming days.

Casper said: "The decision to expel us from the competition is a massive injustice. We've been punished for being honest and I think the FA are sending out the wrong message.

"There are some things which go on in football with players cheating in matches by diving, use of performance-enhancing drugs and alike which can go unpunished.

"In complete contrast to that we've come out and said we admit to a genuine case where a mistake was made. Then the FA have come down on us harshly. It's not encouraging teams to come clean about things like this is it?

"But all along we thought the player was able to play. We have not been acting in an underhand manner. We always thought the player was available to play for us.

"It could have been swept under the carpet and the FA might never have found out about the whole thing.

"But we took what we thought was the most honest form of action and that's why I feel we've been unfairly treated.

"I just hope the FA can see sense with the appeal."

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