Neptunes Vodafone were confirmed Wilkinson Sword League champions for this year when the ASA panel did not uphold Sliema Burger King’s protest against the result of their match against San Giljan Zara which finished in a 10-10 draw.

That result enabled Neptunes to claim the title as they had a three-point lead with just one match remaining.

Sliema had protested over what they claimed was a technical error by the referee.

In a statement issued yesterday, the ASA said said the Panel, after hearing the submissions made by Sliema in connection with an alleged technical error and after hearing the submissions of the witnesses, decided not to accept Sliema’s protest and that the result obtained in the above-mentioned match was to stand.

It said the decision of the panel was final and cannot be appealed against.