ACCRINGTON Stanley have been charged by the FA with breaching a FIFA regulation after former Crewe midfielder James Robinson played for their reserve side.
And relegation-threatened Altrincham could also face sanctions as they also fielded the same player without international clearance earlier this season.
Robinson, 23, had previously spent a period playing in Iceland and had not received international clearance on his return to this country.
However, Stanley say they were not aware that Robinson had played abroad and acted in good faith in handing him a trial spell at the Interlink Express Stadium.
Robinson played for the club's reserve side, but did not sign Conference forms and so Accrington will not face any sanctions from the Conference.
The FA Commission which will hear Accrington's case have "all options open to them", but it seems likely that any penalty Stanley might receive would amount to no more than a fine.
Altrincham have not been charged by the FA but are being investigated by the Conference after Robinson joined the Robins from Accrington on non-contract terms last November.
He then made 13 Conference appearances for Altrincham, scoring four times, before leaving to join Australian side Richmond Eagles in February.
