Forest Green’s FA Cup tie with Blackpool was postponed as the Football Association investigates the eligibility of a player Rovers used in the first round of the competition.

League Two Forest Green set up a second-round clash at Blackpool this weekend after beating Vanarama National League North side Scarborough Athletic last month.

However, Saturday’s match at Bloomfield Road was postponed as the FA looks into Forest Green’s success over Scarborough, where Rovers won a replay 5-2 after the first match finished 1-1.

There has since been an update 

Forest Green chairman Dale Vince believes it is “right” that Scarborough will receive the proceeds of an FA Cup replay after the Sky Bet League Two side were alleged to have fielded an ineligible player.

The Football Association charged Rovers with a breach of the competition’s Rule 109 after a 5-2 first-round replay victory over their Vanarama National League North opponents on November 14, and the sides were ultimately ordered to replay the tie at the Flamingo Land Stadium on December 12.

Now Vince has moved to clarify the situation, which he claims was the result of an “admin error”, and admitted it is correct that the Yorkshire club do not suffer financially as a result.

In a post on his X – formerly Twitter – account, the Forest Green chairman said: “When investigations take place and rulings get announced in football, fans are often left confused as to what actually went on – making them wonder what the hell is happening at their club.

“Our recent charge came about after we failed to tell the FA that we had permission from the player’s home club to be part of our FA Cup squad. They recognised we had approval for the player – but that we had not told them, which was our mistake.

“In the grand scheme of things this was an admin error, so we appreciate the FA’s acceptance of what happened and their judgement.

“The FA ruled that @safc will keep all the money from the gate for this replay, as is right – and we don’t get travel or accommodation expenses (which are normal). Hopefully this means something good can come from this.”

The sides had initially played out a 1-1 draw on the North Yorkshire coast on November 4 before resuming hostilities at the Bolt New Lawn Stadium 10 days later, where the hosts raced into a 4-0 lead before half-time.

They will meet again at Scarborough next Tuesday evening, with a visit to League One club Blackpool awaiting the victors and Premier League side Nottingham Forest at the City Ground the prize for a second-round win.