New Zealand Football have determined that Auckland City FC have forfeited their Round Nine match in the ISPS Handa Premiership.

The Navy Blues, who won the match 3-1 against Tasman United to go two points clear at the top of the table, have been found to have fielded Micah Lea’alafa ineligibly in the match on 17 December and forfeit the result.

Lea’alafa was not listed on Auckland City’s ISPS Handa Premiership named squad and Auckland City failed to lodge a copy of the players’ Amateur Player Agreement with New Zealand Football for the 2017-18 competition.

NZ Football found Auckland City FC in breach of Regulations 18 and 19 of the National League Regulations and therefore guilty of fielding an ineligible player and subject to the automatic penalties as determined in accordance with regulation 34 of the NZF Disciplinary Code.

The result sees Team Wellington move to the top of the ISPS Handa Premiership table. The defending champions are on 17 points after nine games, while the Navy Blues are now second on 16 points with a game in hand.  Tasman United, with the three points, climb to sixth on the ladder on 13 points and into semi-final contention.

The ISPS Handa Premiership resumes on 6 January, 2018 with Round 10.