CHICAGO – The National Women’s Soccer League announced Saturday that the league has declared the Washington Spirit-OL Reign match, scheduled to be played Sunday at Audi Field, a forfeit due to breaches of the league’s medical protocols by the Spirit.

OL Reign will receive three points in the league table and per FIFA guidelines the game will be recorded as 3-0 in favor of the team.

“Although we are disappointed in the NWSL’s decision to issue the Spirit a forfeit, we accept their decision. We apologize to our fans who we know are disappointed in us,” Spirit president club of operations Ben Olsen said in a letter to the fans.

“Making this situation right and preparing for our remaining matches are the club’s highest priorities.

“We will issue refunds to all 9/12 ticket holders via TicketMaster. Funds will be returned to the method of payment you used to purchase your tickets.

“This includes single match buyers, group ticket purchases, and season ticket members. Full 90 Club members will be refunded the price of one Audi match in their plan.

“We will communicate more information to you over the coming days as we assess what has occurred and set out to fix our shortcomings.

“I believe in the future of this club and ask for your patience as we get back on track to the destination our fans and partners all deserve.”

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.