Mountain vow to take battle with the FAW over relegation to Court of Arbitration for Sport

A football club fighting to save its future says it is willing to take a battle with the FAW to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
FC Mountain, formerly known as Flint Mountain, believes it has been wrongly relegated two levels by the Football Association of Wales.
The club finished above last place in the Tier 2 Cymru North last season to avoid the drop, but recently wrote to the FAW stating that due to financial issues it may struggle to remain in that league this season.
Mountain asked the governing body to consider relocating them to Tier 3, but the FAW subsequently relegated the club to Tier 4 and imposed a £7,500 fine.
The FAW stated such a punishment came in accordance with the rule book relating to ‘elective relegation’.
However, FC Mountain insisted it was not requesting relegation, but enquiring about the possibility and the implications. It feels there should have been more opportunity for discussion with the FAW on the matter.
An FC Mountain spokesman said: “We were willing to accept relegation and start in Tier 4 as long as there was no financial penalty, but the treatment and lack of help from the FAW has been disappointing.
“We are fully prepared to take this to the Court of Arbitration.”
As a result of Mountain’s relegation to Tier 4, last season’s bottom side in Cymru North, Ruthin Town, have maintained their status, while Tier 3 clubs Connah’s Quay Town and Kerry, who would have gone down, also now stay where they are.
It is believed a meeting is due to take place between the FAW and Mountain this Tuesday. The football club insist they want a face-to-face personal hearing.
The FAW has been approached for comment.