Soccer:Waterford United's protest that Dundalk played an ineligible player in the second leg of the promotion/relegation play-off at the beginning of this month has been dismissed by an FAI disciplinary committee.

Dundalk won the second leg 2-0 at the RSC to complete a 4-2 aggregate victory that kept them in the Premier Division. Waterford subsequently lodged a protest over the eligibility of Dundalk striker Michael Rafter, who scored both the goals in the second leg victory.

An FAI disciplinary committee today heard submissions from both clubs, as well as the Airtricity League. before deciding “that the rules regarding registration and transfer of players allow for their movement from the amateur game to the professional game within the professional registration periods”.

A statement released by Dundalk last week pointed out that Rafter had signed from St Michael’s of Tipperary Town on February 19th, 2012 and that the deadline for signing amateur players was February 22nd, 2012

Waterford United have the right to appeal the decision to the FAI.