AFC Get away with it

[Simon BTFC]

3 points deduction, increased fine apparently.

[billericaymicky]

You jusr beat me to that Simon! I wonder how many extra points we would have now if we had no waited and played whelps before he was cleared to play? I think we may well have had the title won by now even with a 3 pts deduction!

[Dilbert]

Statement on FA Site

AFC Wimbledon decision

 

Monday, 26 March 2007.

 

At an FA Appeal Board meeting today, the points deduction imposed on AFC Wimbledon by the Ryman League was reduced from 18 points to three points.

 

The points had been deducted after the club fielded an ineligible player, Jermaine Darlington, who had previously played for Cardiff City and had not obtained international clearance before representing AFC Wimbledon.

 

The Appeal Board ruled that, although the Ryman League had not misinterpreted its rules on eligibility and the decision to deduct 18 points was wholly in accordance with those rules, given the specific and unusual circumstances the deduction of 18 points was excessive.

 

The £400 fine imposed by the league was not reduced.

 

I wonder if the Ryman will do anything. This things stinks

[Iron Webbo]

"the Ryman League had not misinterpreted its rules"

 

and yet still the Ryman League's decision is over turned?

[Dilbert]

So do the Rymans have to accept the FA decision ?

[Balmoral Claret]

Unfortunately, your argument above with regard to only suffering a 3 point deduction for fielding a potential ineligible player is unfounded.

Remember, you are Billericay Town and therefore mere mortals along with 20 other teams in the Ryman League (AFC being the exception before anyone accuses me of being a BBB), so would have been penalised by the full 18 points without a leg to stand on.

Hopefully, both Ricay and the Clarets won't be affected too much by the decision (perhaps other than by the teams we will meet in the play-offs) - but I would think that the team which finishes in 6th position will rightfully be a bit peeved on missing out on the play-offs.

[The Town Crier]

Originally Posted By: Iron Webbo

"the Ryman League had not misinterpreted its rules"

and yet still the Ryman League's decision is over turned?

...and it was Wholly in accordance with those rules.??


The FA have just blasted off their foot, Am I right in thinking that if team Anon were to sign a proven match winner, but it would take three weeks for international clearance on this match winner, team anon would now be better off playing him from day one, because he can play, and win 5 games, and they only lose three points max.

What kind of bullsh1t is that?

[Iron Webbo]

Perhaps Ryman clubs should consider contacting their League board of directors to request a response to the FA's decision. If I remember correctly, the Ryman League board were quick enough to spend member clubs money (I remember sending the cheque for the surcharge!) four years ago in mounting a legal challenge to try to stop the FA & Conference's plans to re-organise senior non league football.

 

Were I still an Isthmian, I would be very unhappy about the FA's outrageous decision. I sincerely hope Ricay and Chelmo are not disadvantaged by it.

[jl]

It s an outrageous decision in my opinion. We all know that no other club in our league would have achieved the same outcome and this sets a potentially catastrophic precedent for every future piece of rule-breaking.

 

I suppose the Ryman league has no right of appeal to the FA on behalf of all the other clubs who may be affected by this decision. One can only presume that the FA Appeals panel live in the Kingston area. Do these guys get named and shamed??

 

Let's just hope this incredible decision doesn't have a significant impact on our season.

 

 

[Ryan.c]

If we're ever in breach of league rules, lets lobby Parliament, threaten legal action and we'll get away with it scotch free. Typical FA, [****!!****] everything up.

[Ryan.c]

"given the specific and unusual circumstances the deduction of 18 points was excessive."

 

Has the FA explained what the "specific and unusual circumstances" were that made them come about their decision?

 

[GazzaBTFC]

Well, what did I say a couple of weeks ago? That AFC Wimbledon wouldn't have all the points decducted because the F A have no conception of right or wrong. In fact they have no conception of anything. Where does it say that you can sign up to and agree a set of rules to abide by and then break them with minimum punishment? It's a joke and I believe that every other Ryman club should pertition to have AFC Wimbledon chucked out of the Ryman League.

 

And they say cheats never prosper.

[Bluetone]

I'm guessing "specific and unusual circumstances" means Mr Blair had a word

[GazzaBTFC]

Yep...Quite probably promised someone a knighthood or something...

[Clydefan]

I'm not sure how long Wimbledon were ineligble players for but in the very first game of the season Clyde actually mistakingly named 3 trialists (they are only permitted two) in a game against St Johnstone. End score was a draw. There was no points deduction but the club were fined £5000.

 

Even though it was a genuine mistake, I personally feel we deserved a points deduction - but perhaps a lesser fine.

[The Town Crier]

Did Clyde win the game CF?

 

 

Wombles acquired 18 points whilst fielding an inelegible.

 

 

[Little Miss Urchin]

Yes it is wrong but exactly the same thing would have (and most likely has) happened at the highest level. It's a little pointless having such rules if they can be ignored and overruled as and when they see fit.

 

What happened in Italy is a good example of this - teams have fixed matches and yet are still able to play in Sirie A (apologies for the spelling) and even in Europe.

[Clydefan]

Drew 0-0 and was just that one game only. The Wombles however should be hung, drawn and quartered after gaining 18 points. Not quite sure how a 3 point deduction makes everything fair. It's complete bull***t - no wonder everyone's up in arms!

 

Correctly, the press up here write constantly about the incompetencies of those in charge at the SFA - so I take a little comfort in the fact that the FA appear to be just as capable at hitting all new levels of stupidity!

[Umbrella Man]

I see the news on sky sports mid - afternoon and wasn't sure what to make of it 6 hours later and i still don't shocking

[delboy]

This is unbelievable. we know first hand about wombles cheating tactics now the FA has sent a signal to all clubs that it is worth cheating to beat the system. I just hope they get their true come uppance and miss out on the play offs as if they dont whoever is pushed out by them will be cheated of their rightful place. Once more the FA show they look after themselves, how on earth can they justify chucking them out of the trophy and making them pay back not only one game's prize money but two when they only see fit to punish them one games points after 18 had been won.

 

There is no justice in this world anymore. Crime Does Pay!!!!!!!!!!!