Having captured its second T&T Football Association FA Trophy for only the second time in club history, Japs North East Stars must now await a ruling the association's Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday, April 7, to know whether it will keep hold of the crown.
On Sunday, the Sangre Grande-based North East Stars under the guidance of coach Angus Eve got the better of title-holder W Connection, 5�4 on penalty-kicks after a 0�0 draw at the end of regulation time and 30-minutes extra-time at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, despite playing most of the match with ten men following the first-half dismissal of Jayson Joseph.
The win added to the Darryl Mahabir-owned club, first triumph in 2003, also over W Connectionm, champions in 1999, 2000 & 2002, and 2013/2014.
However, prior to the final W Connection owner/president David John-Williams stated his club was going to lodge a protest to the T&TFA against Stars for the use of Gorean "Ratty" Highley.
John-Williams said the basis of his team's process was that Highely, a former W Connection player, was signed outside of the January transfer window to play in the Reserve League of the Pro League only, and not as part of the club's first team.
But in response, Sharon O'Brien, of the TTFA, noted that Highley, who was formerly of Malabar FC, although unable to play for the first team in the Digicel T&T Pro League, was free to represent North East Stars in FA competition, which doesn't fall within the Pro League jurisdiction.