What can we actually do?

If for some reason Wigan do get let off or points off next season instead meaning we go down what can we actually do?

We can appeal but what would we expect to get out of that?

The EFL in dragging out what they are doing have caused so.much trouble for the clubs and themselves its untrue.

 

Sue them for failing to uphold their own rules regarding Wigan
Separetely sue them for failing to uphold their own rules regarding Sheffield Wednesday
Further sue them for an unjustly long suspension of a currently innocent key first team player

Hot them with three different lawsuits

 

Not sure they can defer to next season as the rules state this .
Not sure they can lower points deduction as the penalty specifically states 12 points for admin.
Imo they either quash or uphold but then that’s only my current understanding .

 

I think you’re right. Wigan are arguing for it to be quashed, not delayed.

The actual amount of deduction and time of it isn’t argued.

 

Oils sue privately though(I think)

 

If wigan get the points deduction cleared I'd like to see pompey,rotherham,leeds,bolton etc start on plus 12 (well maybe not leeds) only fair.

 

The panel do specifically have the option to reduce the penalty which would screw us. I do think this is a weakness in the legislation, because I cannot see any justification for it. Surely it is clear cut, either they are completely innocent or completely guilty. It’s either force majeure or it isn’t. You can’t have a little bit of force majeure

 

I best I would imagine legal action in the pursuit of compensation.
If after the appeal we are back in the relegation places I can't imagine we would be able to do anything in time to stay up.
For both ourselves and Wigan the prospect of league one is probably worse than normal, with the loss in tv money and no idea when league one will resume or if any fans will be present, I believe it's a fate both clubs are more desperate than ever to avoid.

 

Unless it's this bit.

 

The panel definitely have power to reduce the penalty, maybe even defer it.

I’m convinced that we’re down sadly.

 

Love a bit of Tangerine Dream

 

What it needs is another governing body to appear and form a league. Bit like what they have in darts and boxing.

 

My own belief, perhaps overly optimistic, is that the 12 points will be upheld and Wigan will go down. The panel know the wider implications for not upholding it if any attempts are to be made by the league to stop such practices. If this goes against us, it will be unfair - rules have been broken. At some point, clubs that abide by the rules, clubs that have been affected in the past by deductions, clubs that have been relegated or missed out on promotion and all these clubs fans, need to stand up and collectively make as much noise as possible. Crowd-funded lawsuits, lawsuits by club owners, letters to MPs and ministers. Even Wigan fans would have to agree that rule breakers like Wendies, Derby and Birmingham have in some respects led to their own clubs downfall. Unfortunately I think the number of law-abiding clubs is probably outweighed by those who have been or are involved now in rule breaking and bending.

 

Do the panel have the power to reduce the penalty in this case?
They shouldn’t have as Wigan are appealing being the punishment for administration not the amount of points, surely the brief should be as simple as was force manoeuvre the reason for it. A simple yes or no, if it’s yes then no points should be applied if it’s no they stand, nothing more, nothing in between.

I understand normally they have the powers because cases are not normally black and white but this one is.

 

Sue them for failing to uphold their own rules regarding Wigan

They did - it would be the decision of the independent panel.

Separetely sue them for failing to uphold their own rules regarding Sheffield Wednesday

This decision was made by an independent panel in the first instance.

Further sue them for an unjustly long suspension of a currently innocent key first team player

We'd need to know the reasons behind this to do anything. Clearly Dane knows something but he's awaiting a formal announcement.

 

Although I'm feeling pretty worried right now, one very big thing in our favour is that if Wigan's appeal is upheld then the panel will need absolutely watertight reasons for doing it. Not only to avoid potential litigation now, but to make sure that it doesn't open the door to 20 more clubs suddenly deciding to go into administration within the next couple of weeks, safe in the knowledge that they'll avoid a points deduction.

 

You could imagine the Govt watching with interest, imagine 71 other clubs deciding to go into admin to just avoid paying taxes....

 

That’s sure,y an appeal to the EFL Fired, we could still stuff it to them in the courts.
We would be popular with some clubs and not so much with others because there is a lot of dirty washing to sort through

 

The saddest thing about this whole thing is the state of the English football league. Our worries are due to a lack of trust seen by the EFL, not on whats right or wrong. The performances in a season in the championship are based on who gets to cheat best. Its clear. By 'best' i mean how much you get away with it. When clubs like us raise our concerns everyone turns a blind eye, the clubs only see the EFL's ability to govern as an issue only when it impacts them. Kudos to us for raising the issue prior to any charges being levied. Just look at this season and tell me the EFL are running the competition properly:-

Lets look at this season alone in the championship

- 5th Sept - Leeds raise concerns over Derby FFP issues
- 16th Oct - EFL 'step up' investigation into Wed and Derby and appoint a QC
- 14th Nov - Sheff Wed Charged with breach of rules
- 16th Jan - Derby charged - yes charged with breech of spending rules (March 2019 Birmingham were deducted 9 points for similar offences)
- Feb - EFL and all clubs meet where FFP and spending is on the agenda
- 20th March - Independent committee dismiss charge against Birmingham City for misconduct imposed by EFL for profitability and sustainability issues - EFL Appeal (See below)
- 25th May - Barnsley state they won't accept relegation in letter to EFL about their inability to deal with the Derby, Wed etc issues
- Jun 8th - EFL have a club meeting and vote on how season should end. Barnsley table a proposal (voted on) that no club should be relegated for not finishing the season. Tranmere also submitted a proposal. The EFL proposal won the vote to end the league placings with PPG should the season have to end. It didn't end of course.
- 11th Jun - EFL win appeal re Birmingham City. Despite the profit and sustainability charges being upheld, the EFL imposed no points deduction penalties and deemed a reprimand was enough.
- 24th June - Wigan appoint new owners - Fit & Proper test (Self certification BTW) passed
- 1st July - Wigan enter Admin and have a 12 point penalty pending league position (another 15 its imposed if the new owners dont pay creditors 25%)
- 27th July - EFL issue letter to Charlton asking questions on, and for clarity of their ownership setup
- 31st July (Day) - Wigan appeal heard. Barnsley present input.
- 31st July (Evening) - Sheff Wed points deduction imposed and deferred to 20/21 season
To be continued......