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Post by davidm on Nov 21, 2019 18:59:18 GMT
Bolton have been given a five-point deduction, suspended for 18 months, for failing to fulfil fixtures against Brentford last season and Doncaster this term.
Wanderers were due to play the Bees on 27 April but players refused to play the fixture over unpaid wages.
The club postponed their game against Doncaster on 20 August over welfare concerns for youth players.
A 12-point deduction was already given for entering administration in May.
Following a hearing on 14 November, a disciplinary commission also ruled that Bolton will be handed a financial penalty of £20,000 for the Brentford fixture and £50,000 for the Doncaster game, with half of both fines also suspended for 18 months.
Bolton's fixture against Brentford, which was their final home game and penultimate game of the 2018-19 campaign, was called off 16 hours before kick-off and was initially rearranged for 7 May.
However the game was called off altogether, with the Bees awarded three points for a 1-0 win, while the English Football League said the club were guilty of misconduct.
Their game against Doncaster was called off by the club without the knowledge of Rovers or the EFL, with Wanderers having fielded just three senior outfield players in their heavy defeat at Tranmere just three days before.
Of the suspended five-point deduction, two were handed for the Brentford fixture while three were docked for the Doncaster game, which will be rescheduled and a date confirmed "as soon as possible".
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Post by davidm on Nov 21, 2019 19:09:49 GMT
It's as good as winning another 2 matches!
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Post by kenglowhite on Nov 22, 2019 9:49:08 GMT
Remember we wee penalised more than 12 points by having to play six matches at the start of the season before the takeover was properly effected which amounted to at least a further 14 points deduction in addition to the 12 for admin, so this decision looks well considered and does not need to take cognisance of any moaning minnies at other clubswho were unlucky enough not to face us in those opening weeks. I think the EFL's option to appeal the "decision" will not be taken in view of their complicity with the previous regime at Wanderers. Since we have had to rely on Mr Iles at the BN for news and progress of this process, it has been quite revealing to eventually discover that it was NOT the EFL conducting it themselves but an "independent" panel. Does anybnody know who it conisted of and were they legal people ? And I wonder if it might be possible sometime to read our submission to the panel. Hopefully we can now make progress to stay in this league, something that probably has not been previously achieved.
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Post by davidm on Nov 22, 2019 11:28:01 GMT
So maybe it wasn't an escape.
The EFL have decided to appeal against the tribunal decision:-
"The English Football League will appeal against the "lenient" suspended points deduction given to Bolton Wanderers over unfulfilled fixtures.
Bolton had a five-point deduction suspended for 18 months after failing to fulfil fixtures against Brentford last season and Doncaster this term.
The EFL said it is "disappointed by the conclusions reached by the independent disciplinary commission".
Bolton were fined a total of £70,000, with half also suspended for 18 months.
"Given the potential for postponements to have a significant impact on competition integrity and, following receipt of advice overnight on the reasons provided, the League will appeal the outcome in the strongest possible sense," added an EFL statement."
So the pressure will be back on to impose some form of points deduction.
Just when we thought that our luck had changed
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Post by kenglowhite on Nov 22, 2019 14:43:53 GMT
Well, those useless jerks continue to amaze me....just when the panel they appointed themselves seemed to have brought a semblance of order into the proceedings. I am hoping the club will fight this to the death as they seem to hold all the cards against this useless set-up, who have shown corrupt tendencies all along, and are now seemingly hoist by their own petard.....rejecting an independent panel's finding, an independet panel they presumably appointed themselves. I was going to suggest the money collected by the Supporters Trust against this happening be given to Sharon and co towards the first half of the fine payment after yesterday's announcement, but now I fear it will be needed to halp take these clowns to the court of arbitration for sport....and soon.
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Post by OohMac on Nov 22, 2019 17:41:45 GMT
Dont understand at all the stance taken from EFL. They distanced themselves with the decision so why not just draw a line and say the arguments have been heard and a decision reached. It does not mean that all clubs who do similar will receive the same fate. There isnt a one size fits all solution.
I think the right decision has been made. I would have accepted forfeiting the doncaster game. If we won that fixture I see it causing all kinds of issues. Especially if we stay up on it OR doncaster miss out.
To league 1 owners I would say you have a 12 point start. We won our first game late October was it? You already have 1 less relegation spot. We are still under embargo so havent thrown money at it. If you get relegated you simply are not good enough. Realistically were near December and have a couple of points. Its still well heavily stacked in your favour.
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