Sheffield Wednesday have been deducted 12 points by an independent disciplinary panel for the 2020-21 season for breaching spending rules.
👉 bbc.in/2Dkibho #swfc #bbcfootball #EFL
@original-fat-bob Strange that it only applies next season when the Latics deduction is this season. Surely the season isn’t over until the play-offs are over.
Why are we being linked with an up-and-coming young goalkeeper? Given limited money and time, surely there are more pressing needs. One could perhaps see a reason for an older experienced keeper in a free transfer. Someone who would add experience and help bring on the plethora of young keepers that we have.
Grant Hall looks to be a solid piece of business.
utb
@ofb
see my comments elsewhere re Derby County. If they are also to be penalised, imposing it this season makes no sense
It is reported that Wigan got an immediate deduction because of going into administration whereas Shef Wed (and possibly others) are getting punished for breaches of FFP which can be given for the start of next season. The cynical could say they then have all season to appeal and get it reduced or overturned. It will be interesting to see if Charlton take legal action.
Come on BORO.
I think this has been a very good week for Boro. Warnock appointed, new kits introduced and even one leader appointed to the centre back position.
If Friend stays, we have three good centre backs as Fry is there. I hope he will not be sold.
Imagine Ben Gibson "staying" (he has been around for months now and been to matches in Boro gear, too) then we would have a very strong centre back department, me thinks.
Happy days. Let's hope it stays like this for a while. Up the Boro!
@exmil. I suppose one of the things Charlton will be looking at is if the EFL are being consistent in the way in which penalties for breaching FFP are being applied.
Without knowing the detailed regulations and application of penalties it is difficult to reach an informed conclusion; the cynic in me says they have ducked the issue and are likely to come up with a similar decision if Derby are found to be in breach.
What is significant to me is that SW deliberately mislead the EFL and others by including the ground sale in the accounts before it had taken place so as to improve their financial position. That to me deserves the severest of penalties.
I feel sorry for those that have played by the rules and are being relegated whilst transgressors continue to benefit from the rewards that remaining in the Championship bring. 😎
The EFL’s reasoning for the timing of Sheff Wed’s points deduction is that the appeal process would always have finished no earlier than yesterday but that the 2020/21 season would have started yesterday were it not for the enforced mid-season break. Therefore, under normal circumstances the points deduction would have applied to the 2020/21 season, and so it has been applied in the same way.
@andy-r. It is a reasoned excuse which fits in nicely with timings etc!
My concern is the time it all takes to arrive at a decision.
Having had considerable experience of undertaking internal investigations, It concerns me that they have taken this long to arrive at what appears on the face of things to be a clear cut matter.
To me the procedures are not fit for purpose. 😎
@k-p-in-spain I’ve no idea really, just passing on what the EFL said.
The charges were brought against Sheff Wed in Nov 2019, so it’s taken eight to nine months to conclude. That doesn’t sound like an overly long time for such matters to me, given that every case of this nature is unique, but I speak from a position of no experience.
@andy-r. If a charge of misconduct was levied against you at work, would you be happy or think it reasonable for your employer to take 8/9 months to come up with a decision and penalty - I certainly wouldn't and most organisations in my experience would regard this timeframe in dealing with breaches of rules and regulations as unreasonable. 😎
@k-p-in-spain Not sure that’s a like-for-like comparison, KP.
Two charges were brought against Sheff Wed and I would imagine that the investigation involved a thorough review of a complex set of accounts. Not sure if it then had to go through legal proceedings.
The "advantage" that Wednesday gained was in the past, i.e. the season just gone where presumably had they complied with the rules and not sought to circumnavigate them they would not have been able to have as strong a squad as they did and therefore enjoy an unfair advantage over competitors.
The same applies to Derby should they be found guilty, if not then they should be forced to at least build the "roof" within 24 months which will cost them a fortune, they can't have it both ways. Fortunately the exploits in the case of both clubs didn't lead to them being promoted but it did give them an advantage which was unfair on their fellow Championship clubs. I get that the rules for going into administration are clear and published beforehand and therefore points deduction immediately follows but it does seem very unfair when some clubs have been competing on a less than level playing field.
In theory Clubs have been relegated from the Championship who have tried to be above board and run their affairs in a compliant manner. I say "in theory" because Charlton look to be heading into even deeper trouble with the EFL themselves than either Wednesday or Derby. Even so, out on the pitch the Addick's were facing at least two clubs who sought an unfair advantage. The EFL now seem incapable of running the sport with the FA not far behind them looking at the unfolding farce up the A19 at Sid James Park.
Its probably fair to say that its not just the EFL and FA's competence in question with Football generally in a mess. This week Swiss Prosecutors commenced a criminal inquiry on FIFA president Gianno Infantino after he allegedly held clandestine meetings with the Swiss lawyer in charge of investigating corruption after Sepp Blatter’s departure. Greed and avarice now seem to be bywords for the sport with it being rife everywhere.
Morally I think the Sheffield Wednesday and any pending decision against Derby should have been for the season just ended as that was the season where they exercised their gain. That said it is better for Boro if it is imposed next season. Had our immediate "3 Points" been deducted the following season we would have stayed up and who knows maybe even established ourselves and remained in the Premiership to this day. West Ham cheated over Mascherano etc. whilst the Blades went down and had to pay the Sheffield Club a fine of around £20M but as we know that is peanuts compared to remaining in the Premiership. West Ham were rewarded for fiddling the system and it took the Blades years to get back up.
It seems uncomfortable that some punishments can be dished out to some clubs in a timely manner and with impunity when it suits whilst others seem to get away with it until it suits. I'm not sure what the answer is but weeding out corruption at the very top of the sport globally and then working down would seem a very good place to start. Club punishments should be prescriptive and known beforehand but much more importantly they should be of a nature where it would actually discourage and prevent what we are currently witnessing. If individuals are unfit then it should be they in full knowledge when taking over Clubs who are penalised and not the Clubs themselves for any impropriety.
If Wigan's or Bury's "new owners" had faced prison sentences or say a minimum £50M fine they may have declined the opportunity to ever take over Clubs. A lot of owners are overseas but in that case a pro rata bond should be deposited. If they refuse to comply with EFL/FA investigations then their UK assets should be seized and sold off, imagine Man City as an extreme example being "sold off".
Any point deductions have to be sufficiently punitive in nature to discourage and prevent. Immediate relegation rather than merely docking points would probably be a stronger deterrent, down one division for some misdemeanours and down two divisions for more serious concerns. The intention should be that punishments and fines are unnecessary as Owners and Clubs adhere to the rules and stop looking for loopholes, heaven forbid the authorities turn it back into a sport, one with integrity and with a level playing field.
No word on george or Marvin, have they been offered anything?
What about the returning Bola and Brown, Will they be back in the squad or moved on?
Could Brown be an asset, he played well at Oxford apparently. Wonder if NW can get a tune out of him.
Have any of the released players found a club yet?
Will they get a better club than Boro?
Interested to see where sick note Ayala ends up, hope they have good medical staff.
Rudy I suppose could play Sunday League but I do wish Adam Clayton every success, he deserves it.
Redcar Red, Unfortuanately authorities of all persuasions tend not to have the “bottle” or will, be it Political or not, to make and take difficult decisions.
No, it is easier to sit on the fence or on one’s hands and just make gestures. Pretend to make a rule or law then not actually enact it.
Currently we are seeing it with COVID 19. The irresponsibility by large numbers of certain sections of the population is beyond belief, and their impact on their own community or other communities is nothing short of scanderlous.
However many local authorities, be it Police, Councils, as difficult as it is, I do appreciate that, do nothing or very little.
No matter how much I agree with you, and it brings a smile to my lips reading your blog. There has to come a point when even the most loyal and amenable member of the playing staff, think Ayala, and all the other's who have already fled the premises, players who have had the joy of playing in the promotion challenges, play offs, and the prem, decide that they can no longer stand the total chaos which reigned at this madhouse. Think of waking up one morning and finding that those who unseated AK were now in charge. Think of playing in a set up which could even think of going on a run so horrific that at least you had the satisfaction of knowing that they were gone, at last! Only they weren't! You still had to listen to them holding forth at length, about their tactics, their utter calmness under fire, their certainty that all would be well in the best of worlds. Remember we have still got surely the worst holder of the post of honour at our club hanging about the place, and worse, saying nothing, which must mean he has been promised an attempt at rehabilitation, god save us all, because if he can be allowed another go, then I might land a place in a top academy, and on that note i'll find my boots.
Len, there are other things to think about, such as the following. The law is supposed to be completely impartial but there are people in this country who seek eagerly to 'make an example' of any one who happens to possess any talent which raises him above the daily grind. He was involved in a punch up outside a pub/nightclub. This happens outside pubs 100 times every weekend, result, magistrate, warning, 50 quid fine, and bobs your uncle. The on line idiots were out for no less than a complete obliteration of him and his career, so it was important that they got their cumuppance. I still think that the ex boro winger was a victim of this obsession, being made an example of, when all clubs are the target of lots of young girls who quite sensibly wish to become aquainted with footballers. Six years and being banned from using your talents to earn your living was well over the top. I look forward to the time when the court tells a dustbin man ' you will never be allowed to earn your living on the bins'
@pedro I think we have a societal problem which is getting much worse in the UK. Getting rid of Police ten years ago was one issue but the Courts then compounded things with their total disconnect, repeatedly sending home the criminal fraternity with 30/40/50/60 and upwards previous crimes/burglaries/assaults etc.rather than incarcerating them. We couldn't have one without the other.
The 80/20 principle was never more apt and consequently we have less Police with less time chasing the same rogues who openly laugh at them knowing there is no threat or deterrent. That has spread through society and both main Political Parties are equally culpable, seemingly blind to the obvious. Continually rewarding themselves for incompetence. I don't care how they should have done it, whether it be by improving opportunities and wealth for all or by simply building more prisons and locking up more individuals depending on political persuasion or perspective. They have collectively failed and continue to do so at great cost.
That attitudinal decline has now become a generational norm and spread like a disease. Greed without impunity, little moral compass from those who should be setting standards is the new normal. Harry Enfield has a lot to answer for!
I'm guessing that we are maybe offering him an extra £3K a week over QPR (rumours he turned down £12K at Rangers) which seems a lot but over three years its not even £500K for a battle scarred Championship veteran CB with years of experience in this League.
Obviously he will still be getting just over £1.5M over the three years on an estimated £10K that QPR were maybe paying him but we would need to pay that £10K a week salary in any case. I would think for that type of experience £500K represents a very cheap transfer fee.
Challenge now is for him to pass his medical. He missed a few seasons with a knee injury a while back. Having said that he doesn't seem to have an annual "January ankle" like the previous incumbent.
I have to say I’m a little underwhelmed by this signing.
I have to say I’m a little underwhelmed by this signing.
I think its a typical Warnock signing, it fits his plan and that in itself is critical.
Just the fact that we have a Manager with a clear plan is a massive plus. On the signing itself I admit to not being "excited" but realise that its a part of Warnock's jigsaw. As a comparison I can't imagine a Championship club being excited for landing Ayala as good as he was for us. Its a position that is more functional than fantasy but one we desperately needed to fill not just for adding a CB but for adding experience an a "leader".
Johnson got exactly what he deserved.
Don’t get me wrong, I fully support the appointment of NW and I agree with RR’s comments about having a plan and that the signing is part of that plan. It’s just that, as RR also says, it is just not exciting in itself and I thought I would just say so. I can happily live with signings that are not exciting if they help build a team that is successful.
Paper talk ?
I've only seen snippets of Windlass but there is something there, he's a little different similar to Grealish ,
George Friend , No thanks, that boat as left the getty..
Fry ,sell , too soft, although in the prem around better players maybe.
For the most part, the majority of our players , are fill ins, benchmen ,
Bennie Afobie for me ,strong, would complement the attack.
Bottom line more quality , along with strong winning egos are needed.
@boroexile Get used to it. The days of exciting signings has long since passed.
A little note for Ken
ad many are aware I often watch non league football and yesterday watched Billingham Town of the Northern League play a friendly against their own U23 side. They had a squad of 16 players 4 coaches 2 medics and communicated from various points of the pitch to each other by radio so that they could watch individual players intently. My eldest grandson aged 19 was playing for the U23 team and I was talking to one guy whose son was playing aged 17 who had been released by Boro after 5 years playing with the club.He wasn’t too disappointed as his son had secured a good Eng apprenticeship. My point is this: the standard of football displayed was amazing. Lots of players had tremendous skill and were pinging they ball around the pitch like professionals. There is really a fine line between amateur and professional football until you watch two teams like Chelsea and Arsenal. It just shows the standard of football we watch at the Boro has really gone down and we have a long way to get back to where we were.
OFB
There is really a fine line between amateur and professional football until you watch two teams like Chelsea and Arsenal. It just shows the standard of football we watch at the Boro has really gone down and we have a long way to get back to where we were.
I must confess to being disappointed watching that Cup Final yesterday. For all the skill there was little in the way of sportsmanship. The amount of faking and overreacting had me ashamed that this was an English FA Cup Final and all the tradition that has gone before. Its not even a Foreigner thing as the greatest illustration of what I'm talking about is with Bert Trautmann in the 1956 final (before I was born).
The Arsenal strikeforce while clinical looked bone idle and needing a rocket up their backsides. Kovacic was a bit rash in his challenges but the behaviour of Xhaka was a disgrace in the sending off. The ridiculous ruling on VAR meant that it can't be used in those circumstances only further underlined how unfit for purpose the lead bodies of the game are. There again if it wasn't for VAR Villa would have been relegated.
@boroexile I think its our most underwhelming signings that have traditionally been our greatest. Friend and Ayala were cheap, Grant was a free and then there is Bernie etc.
Compare them with the big sums we have literally wasted up a wall.