PORTHMADOG last night claimed an extra-time victory against the FA of Wales over the “racist slur” incident involving a fan last December.
An independent arbitration hearing at Cardiff, adjudicating on the FAW punishments against the Welsh Premier club, scrubbed out all bar one.
Porthmadog will still have to pay £1,000 as part of an original fine, but the deduction of three league points has been scrapped and there was good news on the costs front as well.
Whereas the club had been ordered to foot the FAW’s £3,000 bill after the appeal hearing three months ago, that was overturned and they will be awarded £4,000 towards their own costs.
Club secretary Gerallt Owen said: “These decisions today have vindicated our determination to see this issue settled properly and sensibly, and for justice to prevail.
“It also gives out a clear message to other clubs, which might feel aggrieved in the future, that they should pursue this course of action.
“It can prove to be very worthwhile.
“If only a reasonable attitude and commonsense by the FAW had prevailed right at the beginning, all this would have been avoided.”
The row dates back to last December when a Porthmadog fan shouted racist remarks at linesman Gary Ismial.
He was evicted from the ground at the time and banned from attending future matches.
