Avispa Fukuoka will face a J. League arbitration ruling as early as next week for making big changes to its starting lineup in recent Nabisco Cup matches from the one fielded in league play, the J. League said Thursday.
For its first-round, first-leg match of the Nabisco Cup against Division Two club Shonan Bellmare on April 12, Fukuoka changed nine of its 11 starting members, including seven J. League debutants, from those who played in the previous league match against Jubilo Iwata on April 8. From the April 12 team, Avispa then changed all its starting members the following league match on April 15 against Reysol. Avispa beat Bellmare 3-2 in the first leg and drew 0-0 in the second leg.
As J. League clubs are required to use their "best members" to play official matches, the league believes the first division club broke league regulations and asked Avispa's top officials to attend a hearing Friday at league headquarters in Tokyo.
Avispa could be fined up to 15 million yen.
JEF United Ichihara has also been asked to attend a hearing on Friday for a similar case.
Kitazawa out for stage
KAWASAKI (Kyodo) Veteran Verdy Kawasaki midfielder Tsuyoshi Kitazawa has damaged ligaments in his left knee and is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the first stage, the J. League first division club said Thursday.
The former Japan international sustained the injury during Verdy's 1-0 win over second division side Sagan Tosu in a Nabisco Cup first-round, first-leg match April 12.
Team doctors said it appears difficult for him to play again until after the start of the J. League's second stage, which will kick off June 24.