SEVERN Stars chiefs have accepted England Netball’s decision to strip them of three points for breaking import player rules.
Import players, of which each franchise is allowed two, are not permitted to play in the same third of the court.
However, for a short period of their 62-49 defeat to Manchester Thunder on February 9, South African Maryka Holtzhausen played at wing attack and Jamaican Jodi-Ann Ward at wing defence.
Stars, who drop to nine points, slip from sixth to eighth in the table.
In a statement, superleague chiefs said: “Following a disciplinary committee it was decided that although Severn Stars had not set out to intentionally break any regulations, it is important to uphold the integrity of the rules.
“After much consideration, the disciplinary committee issued the lightest of the options available.”
Following the verdict, a spokesperson for the franchise said: “We were disappointed to learn we have been deducted three points due to an error which occurred during a recent match against Manchester Thunder.
“Unfortunately we positioned two overseas players in the same third of the court at the same time for a short period, in breach of Vitality Netball Superleague rules.
“We accept that an error was made and accept the decision of England Netball to deduct three points from the team.
Now we are looking to concentrate on the rest of the season going forward,” the club added.