NEWQUAY AFC’s have had a charge of failing to control their players, issued by the Cornwall FA following a brawl in their match at St Austell this season, overturned following an appeal to the Football Associaition.

In January the club were found guilty, of the charge, following a fight between Newquay spectators and St Austell players at a match at Poltair Park at the end of October.

The fight saw St Austell’s Lee Whetter, a former Falmouth Town player, and Ben Douglas banned from playing in the Peninsula League until August 1, 2011.

The Newquay secretary, Derek Cherry, was pleased with the charge being overturned and hoped the club could move forward.

“The board comprised of three members and the FA disciplinary manager acted as secretary for the meeting,” said Derek. “I can’t remember the names of the board members but one was from the Dorset FA, one from the Army FA and one other. I read out my grounds for appeal and the board members asked questions. Then the CCFA read out their statement and were asked questions. I was then allowed to make a final statement and we all had to leave whilst they came to a decision. The hearing was held in a very professional and meticulous manner and I would not have had any complaints about the process however it had turned out, he said. “The 45 minutes waiting for the verdict was very nerve-wracking.”