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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2008 10:00:21 GMT
By Martin Spinks STOKE City could be in line for a priceless two-point handout from the Football League if a landmark judgement rules in their favour.
Sheffield Wednesday are in the dock after naming six on-loan players in their 16 against Stoke on Saturday when only five are permitted.
Now the Football League has launched an inquiry into the apparent breach of their rules.
Wednesday seem certain to face punishment - including a possible docking of their point from Saturday's 1-1 draw - but less certain is any recompense Stoke can anticipate as the infringement is almost without precedent.
Stoke are keeping their powder dry for now by awaiting the League's ruling into Wednesday's extraordinary oversight.
Stoke's chief executive Tony Scholes stated: "We went straight onto the League on Saturday evening when the situation first became known to us and they told us that the situation would be considered on Monday morning.
"We are now waiting to see what emerges before deciding whether it is appropriate for us to consider any further action on the matter."
Football League spokesman Jon Nagle added: "All we can say is that the team sheets from this game will be processed and analysed in due course and any necessary action will be considered when that has taken place."
There is one precedent when Leeds were fined £2,000 after including six loanees in a Championship fixture at Burnley in November 2006. But, crucially perhaps, Leeds lost the game.
The League's adjudication in this latest breach will reverberate throughout the entire Coca-Cola Championship because of the respective positions of Stoke and Wednesday at either end of the table.
A re-match is unlikely because Stoke would lose out if they were beaten.
Though one compromise would be for Stoke to keep their one point from Saturday and for the two clubs to replay the fixture for the remaining two points.
Stoke's representation to any inquiry will include the fact they weakened their own hand on Saturday by omitting on-loan duo Paul Gallagher and Gabriel Zakuani to comply with League rules.
The identity of Wednesday's second-half scorer - loanee Franck Songo'o from Portsmouth - will not go un-noticed either.
Wednesday, who are declining to comment at present, will protest that not all six loanees were on the pitch on Saturday as hired hands Adam Bolder, from QPR, and Bartosz Slusarki (of West Bromwich Albion) remained on the bench throughout the 1-1 draw at Hillsborough.
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Post by onemanbang on Mar 31, 2008 10:05:30 GMT
why build our hopes up we know all its going to be is a slapped wrist and a fine for wednesday.
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Post by Matthews dad on Mar 31, 2008 10:06:23 GMT
I reckon that's a case of.......... wait for it................."LAZY JOURNALISM"
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2008 10:09:29 GMT
I only nicked £500 quid that was lying around not the full amount in the house officer.
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Post by bcfc4life88 on Mar 31, 2008 10:18:35 GMT
They won't give you points im afraid, think it will be a points deduction for sheff weds
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2008 10:21:27 GMT
Nice of you to come along and enlighten us Mr Barwick.
p.s. didn't know you were a Bristol fan...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2008 10:21:41 GMT
and exactly what adavantage does that offer us? As we were 1-0 up at the time and one of the loanees scored.
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Post by Stick It On Cort's Head on Mar 31, 2008 10:25:54 GMT
I think we have a very good case, they had extra loanee options on the bench , one of them came on , changed the game , and another loanee scored. Equalised and changed the game. We also weakened our squad as a result....
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Post by bcfc4life88 on Mar 31, 2008 10:25:55 GMT
Nice of you to come along and enlighten us Mr Barwick. p.s. didn't know you were a Bristol fan... Get a grip they won't award you the extra 2 points as we,wba.watford,hull,ipswich,plymouth etc everyone fighting for promotion won't be happy. Best thing to do is deduct the point from sheff weds and fine them. Simple.
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Post by Stick It On Cort's Head on Mar 31, 2008 10:26:44 GMT
Nice of you to come along and enlighten us Mr Barwick. p.s. didn't know you were a Bristol fan... Get a grip they won't award you the extra 2 points as we,wba.watford,hull,ipswich,plymouth etc everyone fighting for promotion won't be happy. Best thing to do is deduct the point from sheff weds and fine them. Simple. TWAT.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2008 10:28:33 GMT
That won't help us at all. We ommitted 2 loan players to comply to the rules, they used too many which strengthened them.
So, all in all, because we stuck to the rules, we were worse than we could've been and because they broke the rules - they were better. Is it fair on Stoke if that just passes?
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Post by bcfc4life88 on Mar 31, 2008 10:31:31 GMT
Maybe, but i ain't sure on the rules, i guess thats good that GJ doesn't loan much then!!! i mean don't get me wrong sheff weds should be punished but i honestly believe they won't give you the points, i mean why would the fa do sweet F.A when sheff utd should of stayed up but west ham stayed up by braking the rules,? much worse rules as well. May see a reply but i just can't see them giving you 2 more points TBH
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Post by RAF on Mar 31, 2008 10:34:20 GMT
Fuck me , talk about clutching at straws.
H
On the other hand
Oh No we better not get the points or some people will not be happy. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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Post by monkeycat on Mar 31, 2008 10:35:13 GMT
Didn't someone post that when this happened in France, the team that didn't cheat were awarded 3-0 win. Unfortuntely, I don't see us getting any extra points
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Post by StoKeith on Mar 31, 2008 10:39:17 GMT
Get a grip they won't award you the extra 2 points as we,wba.watford,hull,ipswich,plymouth etc everyone fighting for promotion won't be happy. I don't think that your happiness should have anything to do with it. A bizarre (but fair) solution would be to order a replay, but say that if Wednesday win or draw, the original result stands, but if we win, then that result stands. I'm not sure if it would actually work in practice as there could be one or two confusing problems (e.g. a high score draw might cause particular problems, as it would favour both of us more). Effectively, Wednesday would be playing to keep their original point and we'd be playing to get three, without risking the one we already have.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2008 10:40:02 GMT
RAF i personally think that we should not get the points or would I like to think of the fact we managed to gain anything by it other than earned. The facts are there though rules broke equaliser scored by one of the rule breakers? Oh and I am sure the Sheff Utd thing is still rumbling on as Sheff Utd are I believe still seeking legal routes over the FA's decision.
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Post by bcfc4life88 on Mar 31, 2008 10:41:10 GMT
Of course the league will consider how the verdict will affect the clubs around the 2 teams, thats why they won't give you extra points IMO, although i can see sheff weds getting a couple of points taken off with a fine.
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Post by Staffsoatcake on Mar 31, 2008 10:41:34 GMT
If the League award us the 3 pts.I'll wipe my arse with a live Hedgehog for the rest of my life. ;D
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Post by bcfc4life88 on Mar 31, 2008 10:42:32 GMT
RAF i personally think that we should not get the points or would I like to think of the fact we managed to gain anything by it other than earned. The facts are there though rules broke equaliser scored by one of the rule breakers? Oh and I am sure the Sheff Utd thing is still rumbling on as Sheff Utd are I believe still seeking legal routes over the FA's decision. I think they deserved to stay up IMO, hate west ham always a dodgey club shoudn't of been so light on erm send erm down to conference i say.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2008 10:43:18 GMT
If the League award us the 3 pts.I'll wipe my arse with a live Hedgehog for the rest of my life. ;D
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Post by Hiram on Mar 31, 2008 10:44:35 GMT
"A bizarre (but fair) solution would be to order a replay, but say that if Wednesday win or draw, the original result stands, but if we win, then that result stands."
How on earth is that "fair"? It's crazy. We'll just have to get over it, win our remaining games and hope for the best.
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Post by StoKeith on Mar 31, 2008 10:46:50 GMT
"A bizarre (but fair) solution would be to order a replay, but say that if Wednesday win or draw, the original result stands, but if we win, then that result stands." How on earth is that "fair"? It's crazy. We'll just have to get over it, win our remaining games and hope for the best. Well it's fair because we can't get a worse result, but get the opportunity to earn the win. Sheffield Wednesday get the opportunity to earn their draw, but can't win as they cheated in the first place.
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Post by boothenbus on Mar 31, 2008 10:50:01 GMT
I think they'll get a fine and we'll be told to get over it.
We need to think as if they didn't break any rules and we just drew.
These 5 games coming up need to be where we focus our energy.
The FA are pussys and won't do anything, they'd have to do some work after all wouldn't they?
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Post by Hiram on Mar 31, 2008 10:50:16 GMT
What would happen if Wenedsay beat us 5-0? Would the goals count in the goals against column? If the situation were reversed, would you expect Stoke to play a game they know they couldn't win?
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Post by monkeycat on Mar 31, 2008 10:51:54 GMT
A replay is totally unworkable. if in France, the team that doesn't cheat is awarded a 3-0 win, then there is a precedent set by UEFA. It will be a case of either the FA having the balls to award us the points, or them coping out and fining Sheff Wed and maybe deducting them their point
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Post by Staffsoatcake on Mar 31, 2008 10:53:41 GMT
Trouble is, the FA dont have the balls.
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Post by StoKeith on Mar 31, 2008 10:57:27 GMT
Sorry Billy, I think I've been unclear about my bizarre proposal!
If Wednesday won 5-0, then the original 1-1 scoreline would be allowed to stand - Wednesday "earn" their point.
if we won 5-0, then that score stands - we "earn" the three points.
I think the point is that we would have to earn the points and not just be granted them.
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Post by bcfc4life88 on Mar 31, 2008 10:58:53 GMT
Sorry Billy, I think I've been unclear about my bizarre proposal! If Wednesday won 5-0, then the original 1-1 scoreline would be allowed to stand - Wednesday "earn" their point. if we won 5-0, then that score stands - we "earn" the three points. I think the point is that we would have to earn the points and not just be granted them. Not a bad idea fellow, but another game for you lot really woudn't be the best thing would it?
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Post by StoKeith on Mar 31, 2008 11:00:57 GMT
True, the extra game would be a burden - and it wouldn't be played after the last day as that wouldn't really be fair either.
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Post by miffmister on Mar 31, 2008 11:02:53 GMT
this is where the FA are, well wank, Rules and more importantly the concequences of breaking those rules should be made public so that everyone knows where they stand. I think a fine and 1 point deducted will be the outcome, none of which will help us. Cheating cunz.
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