I didnt realise this was the explanation for West Ham avoiding a points penalty

However, should the clubs pursue legal action, they will make clear points penalties have been issued before for seemingly far less serious offences.

Middlesbrough, for example, were deducted three points in 1997 for failing to fulfil a fixture as 16 players were either ill or injured, a judgement that condemned them to relegation from the Premiership.

And in his explanation of the decision, Simon Bourne-Arton QC, who headed the commission, said a points sanction at this stage of the season would have condemned the Hammers to certain relegation.

He added that a different decision may well have been taken if the hearing had been in January as a points deduction with four months of the season remaining "would have been somewhat easier to bear".

With two games left in the season, Wigan are one place above West Ham and the drop zone, separated only by goal difference.

FFS if you are caught breaking tjhe rules it shouldnt matter when the penalty should be the same

 

leeds shouldnt be deducted 10 points this season then

As that too will condemn them whereas without a points deduction they stand a chance.