Waterford FC's appeal against a decision on player eligibility has been dismissed by the FAI's Appeals Committee.

Waterford made a complaint to the FAI over the eligibility of Finn Harps defender Shane McEleney, who played when the sides met on the final day of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season.

Harps won the game 1-0 to avoid relegation and deny Waterford a top-four finish and a European spot for next season.

McEleney received his fifth yellow card of the season in Harps' game with St Patrick's Athletic on October 28th and was due to serve a one-match ban on the week beginning Monday, November 9th.

However, the FAI moved the 'effective date' for suspensions to November 10th because the final round of league games were pushed back a few days when the Shamrock Rovers and Derry City game had to be postponed due to COVID-19.

A short statement from the FAI read: "The Appeals Committee of the Football Association of Ireland has ruled an appeal by Waterford FC against the Disciplinary Control Unit of the FAI and Finn Harps out of order as per the FAI Rulebook.

"All parties to the appeal have been notified of this decision."