Here
is the announcement
A three-man F.A. disciplinary commission in Birmingham has
spent the last two days hearing charges against Boston United F.C. Boston
admitted six breaches of F.A. rules relating to the lodging of registered
playing contracts containing details which were found to be false. The penalties
imposed by the commission were as follows:
-
Four points deducted from the commencement of the 2002-2003 Football
League season.
- A fine of £100,000
- The club is ordered to pay adjusted costs of the hearing up to a maximum
of £3,000.
- Boston United will be subjected to a full financial and compliance review
at the commencement of the 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 seasons.
Steve Evans, the team manager at Boston United FC has admitted four breaches
of F.A. rules relating to his involvement in the lodging of registered playing
contracts containing details which were false. He has denied four other charges
relating to contract irregularities and impeding the investigation, which will
be dealt with at a later date. The penalties for the charges he has admitted
will be decided once the other charges have been dealt with.
Pat Malkinson, the former chairman of Boston United FC, has denied two charges
relating to contract irregularities and impeding the inquiry. These matters will
be dealt with at a later date.
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So, predictably and sadly the FA have once again fudged a key decision and sent
a signal out to the game of football in England that it is OK to cheat the rules
as long as you don't get caught or in this case, don't get caught in time. The
punishment handed out is a slap in the face for the Daggers, but also for
everyone else out there who plays by the rules.
The penalty signals that the offences were of sufficient seriousness to merit
a points deduction as well as a financial penalty. Not backdating that points
deduction to the season that the offences occurred and letting Boston United
keep the Conference championship and a spot in the Football League is frankly
stunning incompetence.
As predicted, I am certain that there are many column inches to come on this
matter.
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