League close sanction loophole

Pearce blasts Bentley

The Football League closes the loophole that allowed Leeds United and Boston United to invoke the ten-point deduction for going into administration after they had been relegated, so avoiding the penalty being carried over into next season. The FL has now ensured that, in future, any club going into administration after the fourth Thursday in March will now have the ten-point penalty suspended until it is established when it will have the maximum impact. Football League chairman Lord Brian Mawhinney explains:

“I am delighted that clubs have backed their board so strongly on this issue. Clubs should suffer a sporting penalty as a consequence of going into administration, as this acts as a spur to better financial management.”

With only three days to before their opening game in the European Championships in Holland, England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce fumes at David Bentley’s decision to withdraw from the squad due to tiredness. The former Manchester City manager blasts:

“For me, representing your country is not about what suits you. It’s about what suits your country, whether it be on the sporting field, whether it be in the armed forces. When your country comes calling, you put them first and yourself second. I had an inkling on Wednesday when Blackburn boss Mark Hughes talked to me and mentioned that he’d like to pull the boy out. I said no. I spoke with David on Thursday. He said to me on the back of a long season, and possible burn-out next season, that he’d like to pull himself out of the tournament. I don’t agree with it in any way, shape or form.”

As the 22 year-old midfielder is not injured, he cannot be replaced in the named Under-21s’ squad.