Sunday's FAI Cup semi-final between Bohemians and Bray Wanderers in Dalymount Park was last night threatened with cancellation when the playing staff at the first division club announced that they are considering boycotting the tie.

In a statement issued after training by their representative, Anthony "Bo" McKeever, the players made it clear that unless Jason Byrne is allowed to play in the game they will consider handing a walkover to Bohemians.

The dispute arises out of a one-match suspension handed to Byrne by the FAI earlier this month which was due to come into effect on Tuesday night. Wanderers played St Francis in a Leinster Senior Cup quarter-final that night in a game originally scheduled to be played last week, but postponed, both clubs insist, because St Francis manager Jimmy Harte was not going to be in the country on the date in question.

Now, according to the FAI Cup holders, Byrne served his suspension on Tuesday, but the FAI have contradicted this, claiming that the refixing of the match was a ploy clearly intended to allow the suspension to be served out. Such a manoeuvre is against the rules of the organisation and it has therefore instructed the club that Byrne may not play on Sunday.

"The fact that the game was changed has absolutely nothing to do with us," said McKeever last night. "St Francis looked for the change and Jimmy Harte has acknowledged that, but still Jason and Bray Wanderers are being punished. We don't feel that's acceptable and if the decision isn't reversed then we'll meet again on Saturday to make a final decision on whether to play on Sunday or not."

FAI president Pat Quigley said he was disappointed by the players' stand, but insisted that the association was acting in accordance with the rules. "It would be very saddening if they went ahead with an action like this but if that's what they feel they want to do then it's their choice.

"We've spent a good deal of time considering this issue and we are entirely satisfied that the rule is clear and that the player should be suspended for Sunday."

This is just the latest in a long line of disputes arising out of use by clubs of lesser competitions to allow players serve out suspensions. Bans picked up in National League or FAI Cup matches can be served out in Munster or Leinster Senior Cup matches, something which regularly sparks controversy.

It is hard to see how the FAI can now back down on the issue after giving their ruling on it and if they don't then, given the hard line taken with Kilkenny City when they failed to turn up for a cup game against Finn Harps last season, the Wanderers players may have to choose between their pride and their hopes of retaining the cup they won last May.