Monday 8 December 2014 19:55, UK
Chesterfield's place in the FA Cup third round could be in jeopardy after they were charged with fielding an ineligible player in their second-round win at MK Dons.
The Spireites upset the odds by knocking out the in-form Dons with a 1-0 win on Saturday but in doing so they fielded on-loan Wolves defender Georg Margreitter in their side without receiving written permission from his parent club.
The League One club, who are due to face the winner of Scunthorpe’s replay with Worcester City in the third round, have until 5pm on Thursday to respond to the charge.
An FA statement read: "The FA has charged Chesterfield FC with a breach of FA Cup rules, after allegedly fielding an ineligible player in their FA Cup Second Round Proper fixture against Milton Keynes Dons.
"MK Dons were beaten 1-0 at home by Chesterfield on Saturday 6 December 2014, during which fixture Georg Margreitter featured for the away side.
"It is alleged that Margreitter - on loan to Chesterfield from Wolverhampton Wanderers - played in the fixture without the necessary written permission having been received by The FA as at the 12 noon deadline on Friday 5 December 2014.
"As a consequence it is alleged they are in breach of FA Cup Rule 15 (j) (i) for fielding an ineligible player."
Spireites chief executive Chris Turner said: "We notified The FA as soon as it came to our attention that the necessary written permission from Wolverhampton Wanderers to allow Georg Margreitter to play in the match had not been received.
"We had a verbal agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers to play Georg but unfortunately we did not ensure that the consent was received in writing.
"We will of course provide The FA with our full co-operation as they investigate the matter."
If found guilty Paul Cook's men could be kicked out of the competition, with Bradford receiving a similar punishment when they fielded an ineligible loanee Curtis Good in the 2012/13 season.
