MAIDSTONE United were due to find out today whether they wil be thrown out of this season’s FA Cup.

Stones chairman Paul Bowden-Brown has been called to appear before a three-man FA committee in London this afternoon to explain why defender Paul Ribbens appeared in the second qualifying round tie against Hythe despite still being registered with Dr Martens League Dartford.

Bowden-Brown contacted the FA on Monday morning as soon as he was made aware of the situation by the North Kent club.

He insisted that as far as Maidstone were concerned Ribbens was eligible to play for the club and he was expected to present evidence of the player’s Kent League registration to the FA.

Representatives from the Kent League were also expected to attend the hearing.

The FA can expel Maidstone from the competition, force the club to replay the match with Hythe or accept Bowden-Brown’s defence.

Maidstone have been drawn to play Ryman Premier League Bishop’s Stortford in the third qualifying round on Saturday.

This is the furthest the club have progressed in the competition since they reformed in 1992 and expulsion would cost them around £10,000 in lost prize money and gate receipts.