Role Of The Independent Appeal Hearing

What I wrote doesn't apply to Wigan. Problems from Covid-19 are more likely to happen further down the line. Season ticket money is supposed to last us a year. We've far less of it for next season than usual but the same outgoings. It will run out far quicker. Wigan's problems were from overspend, pure and simple.

Don't know about all the ins and outs of ownership, nor do I think it's relevant to Wigan's predicament.

 

I only asked about the ownership thing because from everything I can find that's their argument with the force majeure being that the club couldn't have expected the actions of the new owner rather than them claiming that the club couldn't have expected covid-19.

Covid-19 itself regarding football finances is quite interesting because on one hand you're completely right. Less money coming in same outgoings and it was fully unexpected. The only argument against that that I can think of is have clubs done all possible to cut costs since covid-19? If a club spends money on a player this summer does that then invalidate any force majeure argument in the future?

 

Cheers, I agree it shouldn’t be a reason.

 

I've personally negotiated and, often signed, contracts which (almost invariably) have "force majeur" clauses. "Force majeur" is not the same as unforeseen. The idea that the owner of a club putting it into administration is "force majeur" is, frankly, bizarre. Sleep easy, Wigan are going down.

 

This is where I'm at too. Sentimentality in football. Fans seem to think 'the club' is it's own thing that they are a part of, that's separate to the owners. The owners dodgy dealings should be cause for more penalties, not less. I just don't get it.

 

The force majeure argument is a nonsense.
The administrators are just keeping it open as an option to attract buyers
If they get a buyer before 31-7 I doubt they will pursue it
If they don’t I doubt they will pursue it
If they do, I doubt it will succeed.

 

The Independent Appeal Commission have to act responsibly when making their decision, otherwise it could set a dangerous precedent. Wigan are going to expunge three-quarters of their £5 million debt to non-football creditors by taking this action. It can't go unpenalised...or the floodgates could open.