A Bermuda Football Association (BFA) probe is currently in progress that could result in perennial cup giants Somerset Trojans being dumped from the FA Cup.

It was revealed yesterday that Trojans now risk being expelled from the prestigious competition for allegedly fielding an ineligible player during a November 18 FA Cup preliminary round match with Key West Rangers at Somerset Cricket Club.

Trojans won the match 2-0 but must now await the outcome of the association's probe to determine whether or not player/president Richard Scott was eligible to play.

Veteran footballer Scott had transferred from Trojans to Commercial League outfit Somerset Extros over the summer months, but under existing FA Cup rules and regulations is still eligible to play.

According to Trojans coach Dennis Brown, Scott turned up at the match without a mandatory player's registration card but was given clearance to play by referee Anthony Francis. Brown said that attempts to obtain Scott's player's card from Extros coach Joe Pimental were unsuccessful on the day but stressed that his player was still permitted to play on condition that his BFA player's registration number be included on the official team sheet.

Brown, who is very disturbed over the entire matter, said: "We went through the proper avenues and consulted with the ref (Francis) before the game and asked him could Richard play because is a registered player.

"Brian (Somerset vice president Brian Iris) informed the referee (Francis) that he couldn't locate the commercial team coach (Pimental) to get Richard's card way before we even let the player go on the field.

"The referee was well aware of the situation and could've prevented Richard from playing. If he would've said otherwise then we would not have played Richard at all.

"But his registration number was included on the team sheet and it's not as though he isn't registered to play at all."

When contacted yesterday, ref Francis declined to elaborate but did state that "match procedures are very clear on this incident", while a BFA source confirmed that a probe into Scott's eligibility is currently in progress.

To date BFA officials have yet to announce a date for the FA Cup first round draw.

Should Trojans get the boot they will become the first club jettisoned from the FA Cup since Devonshire Cougars in 2002-03 for fielding an ineligible player (Kori Goddard) in a landslide semi final victory over First Division rivals Prospect United who went on to meet North Village in the final at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

In the 1980s PHC Zebras were also dumped out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player (Brian Benevides) against Trojans at the former PHC Stadium.