[cite]Posted By: Off_it[/cite]Now that we are out the way I think I can safely say that
1. The whole thing stinks and West Ham should definitely have been docked points; but
2. I now hope they stay up as it would make our job next season a little easy in my view.
The whole saga is embarassing in the extreme for all involved. There was never any chance of a points deduction for this. All that was at stake was the level of the fine West Ham were going to get. With no proof whatsoever I imagine that some prior discussions between the Prem, WHU and the leader of the independent tribunal led to a carve up on the first day of the hearing, which then adjourned early to give time for the panel to create the work of literary genius that was their judgement.
The only chance the Premier League ever had of not having the final placings deciding in court was by not deducting points. They have simply under-estimated the anger of the other clubs, fortunately because it is only 'small' clubs that are really kicking up (with some tacit backing from the big boys) they will be okay because the media will leave it alone when the FA cup and Champions League finals come closer into view. It would have been far more interesting if someone like Newcastle or Manchester City were down amongst the dead men at the time, as it stands nobody who is really able to build momentum actually gives a toss about it.
There was an interesting piece on the BBC website yesterday (can't find it now) from the guy who wrote the piece about a potential takeover (who Inspector Sands reckons is well connected - and Insp Sands works in a similar field, so I trust his judgement).
Anyway, basically, the gist of the piece was that West Ham probably weren't docked points because that would've sent them down and then they would maybe have fielded a weakened team against Man Utd on Sunday - which was, at the time the punishment was given, still a potential title decider. This guy reckons the Prem League were more scared of legal action from Chelsea over possibly being seen to be rigging the league title, than they were about legal action regarding relegation.
Can you imagine the headlines if the legal action was over who won the league rather than who was relegated?
Comments
The whole saga is embarassing in the extreme for all involved. There was never any chance of a points deduction for this. All that was at stake was the level of the fine West Ham were going to get. With no proof whatsoever I imagine that some prior discussions between the Prem, WHU and the leader of the independent tribunal led to a carve up on the first day of the hearing, which then adjourned early to give time for the panel to create the work of literary genius that was their judgement.
The only chance the Premier League ever had of not having the final placings deciding in court was by not deducting points. They have simply under-estimated the anger of the other clubs, fortunately because it is only 'small' clubs that are really kicking up (with some tacit backing from the big boys) they will be okay because the media will leave it alone when the FA cup and Champions League finals come closer into view. It would have been far more interesting if someone like Newcastle or Manchester City were down amongst the dead men at the time, as it stands nobody who is really able to build momentum actually gives a toss about it.
Anyway, basically, the gist of the piece was that West Ham probably weren't docked points because that would've sent them down and then they would maybe have fielded a weakened team against Man Utd on Sunday - which was, at the time the punishment was given, still a potential title decider. This guy reckons the Prem League were more scared of legal action from Chelsea over possibly being seen to be rigging the league title, than they were about legal action regarding relegation.
Can you imagine the headlines if the legal action was over who won the league rather than who was relegated?