Ellan Vannin’s elimination from the CONIFA World Football Cup has been upheld despite an appeal to tournament organisers.

The Manx Independent Football Alliance team crashed out of the biennial competition after they lost 0-2 to hosts Barawa on Sunday afternoon, missing out on a place in the quarter-finals by virtue of goal difference.

It has since been alleged that Barawa circumvented the player eligibility rules by drafting in Mohamed Bettamer to their squad, a Libyan international who has played at a high level in the African Champions League.

The Somalian team were accused of drafting the player in after the squad submission deadline had passed - apparently in between their first two matches in the competition.

Bettamer played a key role in helping the hosts progress to the knockout stages, scoring a goal and creating the other in their victory over Ellan Vannin which ensured a top-two finish in Group A.

MIFA subsequently lodged an appeal to be reinstated in the tournament at Barawa’s expense but CONIFA have rejected that appeal, stating:

’Following an extraordinary meeting of the 2018 Paddy Power World Football Cup management committee, CONIFA wishes to announce that Ellan Vannin’s appeal against the progression of Barawa to the tournament quarter-finals has been denied.’

’Following the conclusion of Group A on Sunday, June 3, Ellan Vannin - who placed third - lodged an appeal on the basis that a Barawa player, Mohamed Bettamer, was not in Barawa’s tournament squad and was therefore ineligible.

’One hour before the Barawa’s first match of the tournament, on Thursday, May 31, team management were advised by a club that two selected players could not participate. On Friday, June 1, team management lodged a request with CONIFA to permit an additional player - Bettamer - to join the Barawa squad.

’On the basis that a majority of participating teams had not complied with the squad registration deadline, and had been permitted to make changes following that deadline (but prior to Thursday, May 31), CONIFA granted Barawa’s request. That decision was not communicated to the other participating teams.

’Pursuant to tournament rules, Ellan Vannin’s appeal was submitted for determination to the tournament management committee.

’The committee consists of nine members of the tournament organising committee, and one delegate from each of the 16 participating teams. Given that the matter directly concerned them, Barawa and Ellan Vannin were not permitted to vote.

’On the morning of Monday, June 4 the tournament management committee met to determine Ellan Vannin’s appeal. The committee resolved to reject the appeal. Ellan Vannin subsequently sought to appeal the decision. The tournament management committee accepted their appeal.

’On the evening of Monday, June 4 the tournament organising committee reconvened - 10 teams were represented in person. Three provided valid written proxies, six tournament organising committee representatives were present and one provided a valid written proxy.

’The committee firstly annulled the prior acceptance of the appeal on the basis that the decision was flawed by procedural irregularities, because CONIFA’s voting procedures had not been followed.

’The committee then voted on whether Ellan Vannin’s appeal should be accepted, in which case Barawa would be relegated to third place and Ellan Vannin would proceed to the quarter-final.

’By a vote of 13 to seven, the committee rejected Ellan Vannin’s appeal. Accordingly, Barawa will play in the tournament quarter-finals on Tuesday.

’The committee then voted on whether Bettamer should be permitted to continue playing in the remainder of the tournament. By a vote of nine to five, with five abstentions and one uncast vote, the committee determined that Bettamer is eligible for selection for the remainder of the tournament.

’CONIFA is committed to transparency and openness, and hence have decided to outline the process followed as above. CONIFA wishes to reiterate that it is a volunteer-run charity.’

Reaction to the decision has proved very divisive on social media, with many supporting Ellan Vannin’s stance against tournament organisers.

The official MIFA Twitter account commented: ’To all competing teams in the @CONIFAOfficial #WFC2018, Ellan Vannin wish you all the best and it has been an absolute pleasure to meet you.

’We sincerely hope that you will not have to ever experience what our management and players have been put through. Good luck - Moyrn As Bree.’

Ellan Vannin’s participation in their placing match this afternoon is now in serious doubt, with relations between MIFA and CONIFA under serious strain as this debacle looks set to rumble on.