The promotion hopes of a substantial number of other clubs of overturning the FA’s decision to expunge the 2019/20 appear over after South Shields lost their appeal.
A tribunal reached the decision, ironically on the day League One and League Two voted to end their seasons and apply points-per-game ratios to decide the table.
A South Shields statement said: “An arbitration hearing has now been held before a panel and although the judgement insisted it was ‘impossible not to feel sympathy for South Shields’ and similarly affected clubs, the claim was dismissed.
“The club is grateful for all the support it received from a significant number of other clubs in making its legal challenge.
“The process was very time consuming and expensive and the outcome is clearly hugely disappointing.”
FA statement on South Shields appeal against null & void being dismissed “The 3 person panel rejected the clubs arguments in their entirety that the decision was unlawful. The FA is aware that any decision taken in such difficult circumstances would leave some clubs disappointed”