Shelbourne won't have the three league points they believe are rightly theirs automatically awarded but will instead get to replay their controversial match with Bohemians.

The Drumcondra club believes it should have been awarded the three points Bohemians were deducted after the Phibsboro club fielded a suspended player during a match between the sides in August.

Bohemians won that game 2-1 but were subsequently docked three points for fielding defender Jason McGuinness, who was suspended.

The FAI's three-man appeal board committee today ordered the match to be replayed at Dalymount Park (the original venue) "as a matter or urgency" and "in the interests of Fair Play".

The decision will infuriate Derry City, Shelbourne's closest rivals in the title race.

The league campaign is due to finish on Friday week and currently Shelbourne sit top, three points clear of Derry who, because of this ruling, now don't have the benefit of their one game in hand.

Derry manager Stephen Kenny said recently "it would be the biggest scandal that's been in Irish football in years" should the game be replayed.

"It would be a scandal in European football terms to say that a team loses, gets a replay and then gets three points," he added.

"Common sense should prevail and it should be won on the pitch over the season. It should be up to the best team now to win it."

eircom League Chairman Paddy McCaul has now convened a meeting of the Board of Control following the FAI's announcement.

That meeting is scheduled for Friday and the eircom league will make no further comment until then.

Shelbourne were appealing the decision to simply deduct three points from Bohemians when Uefa precedents suggests the opposition could be awarded a 3-0 victory.

This appeal was initially heard by the FAI Appeal Board a fortnight ago but was adjourned for further deliberations before reconvening last night.

"Following the Appeal Board decision the option of arbitration is available," a statement read.