Donaghadee FC have issued a statement criticising the Irish FA after the club lost out in its arbitration case.
The County Down club hit out after failing in their bid to have the decision to curtail the 2019-20 Northern Amateur Football League season overturned.
Donaghadee - who were represented by Jamie Bryson in the case - have been ordered to pay the full costs of arbitration and the IFA's legal fees.
It is understood the club could be faced with a bill in excess of £20,000.
A spokesman for the Division 2A team said: “In this case we were represented by Mr Bryson free of charge.
"The IFA elected to instruct one of Northern Ireland’s biggest corporate law firms and a senior QC.
"That, whatever way you look at it, is completely disproportionate."
The statement added: “If there is to be a battle over costs, then it’s going to be a long war. We would hope the IFA will see sense and furthermore will reform their procedures to make it easier for clubs to challenge their decisions."
Mr Bryson said: “In regards to costs, whilst I will happily take it as a compliment that the IFA felt the need to instruct senior counsel in the case, it was clearly totally disproportionate.
"It’s absurd to think they will ever be able to enforce costs on that issue. Clubs must have reasonable access to justice in order to enforce their rights under the rules."
