San Clemente disqualified from CIF Southern Section football playoffs because of ineligible player (updated)

The San Clemente High School football team has been disqualified from the CIF Southern Section Division 2 football playoffs because of an ineligible player, according to a press release from the CIF Southern Section.

San Clemente was scheduled to play Chaminade in the Division 2 semifinals Friday night. Chaminade will now automatically advance to the Division 2 championship game where they'll face the winner of the Sierra Canyon vs. Rancho Cucamonga semifinal.

Here's the full press release from the Southern Section:

San Clemente's violation was self-reported, per a Capistrano Unified School District spokesperson. The ineligible player has the right to appeal the Section's decision. The player's appeal is waiting to be finalized, per a story in the Orange County Register.

There is a chance Friday's game could still be played, per a statement from a Southern Section official.

"Should the appeal be upheld by an appeals panel and should that appeal occur prior to Friday, then the student-athlete in question could have his athletic eligibility re-instated and the school could be re-entered into the playoffs depending on the outcome of that appeal."

Pre-enrollment contact and not providing accurate information to the Section has been an issue for years when it comes to football transfers. The Southern Section does not have an investigative body so unless they receive a credible complaint with evidence of wrongdoing, they can't act. Since San Clemente's violation was self-reported, the Section was able to make a ruling on their eligibility in this case.

*This story was updated on Wednesday morning at 10:35 a.m. with additional information.