UEFA fines Debrecen for using ineligible player

UEFA has fined Debrecen ?15,000 ($19,200) for fielding an ineligible player in the Europa League, but rejected a protest by opponent Litex Lovech to kick the Hungarians out of the competition.

UEFA says its disciplinary panel agreed that Peter Mate should not have played last Thursday in the second leg of the playoffs. But UEFA says Debrecen used Mate in good faith as a substitute in Bulgaria when it led 4-1 on aggregate.

UEFA says Debrecen had ''no interest in fielding this player for the three last minutes of additional time, when the score was so clearly in its favor.''

Litex can appeal the ruling before Debrecen opens group play on Sept. 16 at home against Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkiv.