Manning Cup champions Excelsior put on probation, kicked from Champions Cup

MANNING Cup champions Excelsior High were placed on probation until August 2028 after ISSA’s Disciplinary Committee found them guilty of fielding an ineligible player in both the Walker Cup and Manning Cup competitions. Excelsior were deducted six points in the Manning Cup, disqualified from the Walker Cup and, by extension, kicked out of the all-island Champions Cup. In a press release on Tuesday, ISSA said the player used was in breach of the eligibility rule relating to academic and attendance performance. The unnamed ineligible player participated in the Walker Cup against Kingston Technical in the second round, and then against Wolmer’s Boys in the quarter-final. So to be fair, Competition Director Ewan Scott said they will allow Kingston Technical High and Wolmer’s Boys to face off so as to determine which team replaces Excelsior High in the ISSA Champions Cup. Earlier in the season, Jamaica College also used an ineligible player in the Walker Cup semis and was disqualified from the Walker Cup but not the Champions Cup, because the infringement occurred after JC had already qualified for the Champions Cup. In addition to forfeiting all three points earned in every Manning Cup match in which the player participated, the disciplinary committee also ruled that St Jago High and Calabar High will each be awarded 3-0 victories and the corresponding three points from their respective Manning Cup matches against Excelsior. However, the sanctions were not a major setback for Excelsior as they are now sitting on six points in third spot in Group 2 behind St Jago (12) and Calabar (9). With the top four teams advancing to the round of 16, Excelsior seems safe with one game remaining. Norman Manley are fourth on four points and Charlie Smith High are fifth on three points. The association also urged all member institutions, coaches and student athletes to familiarise themselves with its rules and regulations, emphasising the importance of fairness, integrity and accountability in schoolboy sports.