An oversight in registering Canadian striker Donnie McGregor has led to Otago United losing the point it gained from its draw with Wellington earlier in the season.
Otago United was stripped of the point it received from the draw and Wellington now gets the full three points and moves up to fourth in the premiership, just ahead of Otago United.
The 2-2 draw will now stand as a 2-0 win for Wellington.
Otago United chairman Dave Lamont said it was an oversight by Otago United administration which led to the team's losing the point.
McGregor, a Canadian, arrived in town after the winter football season had concluded.
It was thought he had not played any competitive football for more than two years so did not have to be transferred.
However, upon arrival he had linked up with the Green Island club which had then gone and registered him.
Lamont said players register with their home clubs in the winter and then had to register with Otago United for the summer league.
But Lamont said it was overlooked by team administrators that McGregor had signed with Green Island and he was not transferred.
Wellington had alerted New Zealand Football about what had happened and, after an investigation, the national body which runs the league had decided to dock Otago its one point.
Lamont said it was disappointing, especially as the young side was performing well.
Ironically, McGregor only played a few minutes against Wellington and did not take the field against Auckland City on Sunday.
Otago United lost 3-0 to Auckland in Auckland. With the league now taking a month-long break, United will have time to get over some injuries.
United faces Waikato at Forsyth Barr Stadium on January 15 in its first game of the new year.
