Relegated Welsh Premier League side Afan Lido have failed in their appeal against a points deduction, confirming their Welsh Premier relegation from the top flight of Welsh football.
The club had three points deducted earlier this month for fielding Leigh Shrimpton while suspended in a 4-0 win against Airbus UK in March.
Shrimpton was sent off while playing for a Sunday League side in Port Talbot but used a false name and failed to inform Lido of this - he is subsequently no longer wanted at the Port Talbot club for ultimately causing their relegation from the league.
As a result of Shrimpton's madness Lido finished bottom of the table,a mere three points behind Airbus who would have been relegated on goal difference instead had
On Thursday the FAW held a hearing and rejected Lido's appeal ending their hopes of clinging on to their Premier League status.
They also upheld the £100 fine imposed by the Welsh Premier League for playing an ineligible player.
Afan Lido do, however, have two chances of remaining in the league, either by appeal through arbitration - an avenue unlikely to be pursued or by no team being promoted to the Premier League from the two feeder leagues.
It is possible that the winners of the Cymru Alliance and the Welsh League - may fail to meet Premier League criteria and if teams below them have not applied for promotion, by default Lido could find themselves in the Premier League next season.
The matter is, however, out of their hands and will be a major relief should they stay up.