SPL 2026: Sawmer's protest upheld, Lajong stripped of win over player eligibility breach

# SPL 2026: Sawmer's protest upheld, Lajong stripped of win over player eligibility breach * September 15, 2026* The Shillong Sports Association (SSA) Tournament Committee has ruled in favour of Sawmer SC in their protest against Shillong Lajong FC, overturning the result of their Shillong Premier League 2026 fixture played on September 12. The Committee met in a special session on September 14 to hear both clubs after Sawmer lodged a protest following their 6-1 defeat, on the grounds that Lajong had fielded three non-Meghalayan players in the match — goalkeeper Lakpa Lama, plus substitutes Lalmuansanga, who scored a hat-trick, and Abelson Jachi. At the time, the exact rule in question was unclear. TSR had noted that while a two-out-of-state-player limit was widely understood to apply, it could not locate the provision in the SPL 2026 regulations — the closest reference being in the First Division rules for the upcoming 2026 season, which restricts clubs to two out-of-state players in the *starting lineup* specifically. Under that reading, Lajong, who used only one out-of-state player in their starting eleven, would not have been in breach. The Committee's ruling has now settled the matter. In its notice, it cited a separate document — Rule No. 9 of the Guidelines for SPL Clubs (Ref. No. SSA/SPL/2025/GUIDELINES1, dated July 8, 2025) — which states plainly that only two players from outside Meghalaya are allowed in the playing eleven, without the "starting lineup" qualifier that appeared in the First Division regs. On that basis, the Committee found Lajong guilty of the charge. **Lajong's punishment:** the September 12 match has been forfeited, with the scoreline amended to a 3-0 win for Sawmer SC. The Committee also used the notice to put every SSA-affiliated club on notice, directing them to strictly follow the rules and guidelines the Association circulates "from time to time." ### What it means for the standings The reversal is a significant blow to Lajong's title challenge. Where a genuine 6-1 win would have pushed them four points clear of nearest rivals Mawlai — albeit having played two games more — the forfeit instead hands Sawmer a default win, lifting them to fourth in the table and dragging Lajong back down with them. With the SPL title race blown wide open by the ruling, attention now turns to how Lajong respond, and whether the SSA's guidelines documents will need tidying up to prevent similar confusion in future protests.