Bolton update

[RoversAlias]

Any appeal would have to come after a decision rendered, so we will publicly hear the outcome before any appeals process I'm sure.

They probably just didn't decide yesterday despite the reports. It's not like they've been in a hurry to sort it up to now.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

In any disciplinary matter, you inform the respondee directly first before making anything public. Whether they see fit to include ourselves in that process, I would hope so.

[Alan Southstand]

I only say that, IDM, as that is exactly what was said prior to yesterday’s meeting.

[Filo]

There are only 2 precedents for this...
(From https://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/Articles/DidYouKnow25.htm)

Back in March 1974 Halifax Town and Exeter City asked the Football League to postpone matches because their respective playing squads had been decimated by injury and illness. In Exeter's case they had medical certificates for 9 unfit players which left them with just 9 fit players, two of them goalkeepers. Halifax were given permission to postpone their Division 3 match at Bournemouth on Saturday March 30th 1974 but Exeter were refused permission to call of their matches against Peterborough the same day and Scunthorpe 3 days later. They played, and lost, their home match against Peterborough but refused to travel to Scunthorpe to fulfil their Division 4 fixture at the Old Showground scheduled for Tuesday April 2nd. There was speculation that Exeter's punishment might be expulsion from the Football League but later in April it was announced that the Devon side had been fined £5000 for not fulfilling the fixture and in addition were ordered to compensate Scunthorpe £1094 for the lost gate receipts and expenses. It was a massive sum for a Division 4 side to pay. Uniquely the two points were awarded to Scunthorpe and the match was not ordered to be played. At the time it was the only fixture in Football League history that was never played, a record that was the last for 45 years,,,,,,,

.....Bolton Wanderers were in a financial mess as the 2018/19 season came to a close. At the end of April 2019 with unpopular Chairman Ken Anderson wanting to sell the club who owed £1.2 million to the taxman Bolton players were threatening a strike as they - and other club staff - hadn't been paid since February. Staff issued a statement saying that the situation was 'creating mental, emotional and financial burdens for people through no fault of their own' and there were stories of a food bank being set up for staff at their home stadium while at their training ground the players couldn't have a hot shower as the club couldn't afford to provide hot water. The players carried out the strike threat and their scheduled home Championship match against Brentford was called off the day before it was due to have been played on Saturday April 27th. The match was rescheduled for Tuesday May 7th which was two days after the official end of the League season. However the Football League didn't accept that. With Bolton already relegated and the re-arranged match being in doubt because safety staff were planning their own boycott of the fixture the match was cancelled. Brentford were awarded the three points with a nominal 1-0 victory and so Bolton Wanderers v Brentford became only the second match not played at the end of a completed Football League season......

The other similar event was in the Premier League, so probably doesn’t set a precedent for the EFL...

Going back to the Scunthorpe v exeter postponement then fast forward to December 1996 and Middlesbrough tried the same stunt as Exeter had done in 1974 to postpone a match (see above), but suffered disastrous consequences. Middlesbrough called off their Premier League game at Blackburn without permission the day before the scheduled date of Saturday 21st December 1996. Manager Bryan Robson claimed that they were unable to field a competitive team as they had 23 players unavailable because of injury, illness or suspension. At the Premier League inquiry in January Blackburn argued that they should have been awarded the points but the match was ordered to be played and Middlesbrough suffered a 3 point deduction and a £50,000 fine. Middlesbrough drew at Blackburn when that match was played but for a club in the relegation area that three point deduction was to see them relegated. Had they had played the match in December - and had not suffered a thumping - they would have stayed up. It proved to be a sad season for Middlesbrough - relegated and beaten finalists in both the FA Cup and League Cup.

Despite these precedents, I expect Bolton to be punished with a points deduction and the game to be ordered to be played.

But they are quoting PL guidelines regarding young players, they can’t have it both ways

[the vicar]

I don't think there will be an appeal or be listened to by the EFL

[Metalmicky]

Quite strange that if we were to be awarded 3 points and a win by a single goal, we would move from 12th to 5th in the league.....

[Donnybob]

We'll probably read about the verdict on Bolton's web site first - just like the cancellation!

[Alan Southstand]

........with a game in hand!

[Metalmicky]

We'll probably read about the verdict on Bolton's web site first - just like the cancellation!

Can't rely on them to let us know.................. at least not within 36 hours.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Serving the judgement is a formal process, detailing the rules that have been broken and the specific sanctions. It may also include clauses about confidentiality and the formal appeal process. I would imagine that only when Bolton confirm they have received the judgement, the EFL will be in a position to release a statement.

[eastender]

Liam Hoden

I'm reliably informed there will be no update until after the weekend in regards to the Bolton game

[IDM]

Which adds to the thought that there are potential complications..

[roversam]

What a surprise, it's like waiting for Christmas ffs

[IDM]

Although it really makes no difference if there a few more days delay.

It’s not as if we could have played Bolton tomorrow, and if they give us the points that an happen any time..

[DonnyBazR0ver]

EFL may also have their hands full with the developing situation at Macclesfield with players refusing to play tomorrows game unless they're paid by 6pm tonight.

Also Sheff Wednesday subject to disciplinary for breach of FFP rules and now it appears Birmingham maybe facing the same fate.

[ravenrover]

I think that 1 of the main points about Macclesfield not playing apart from not being paid is that there is no insurance cover if the players are injured. So I've been told.

[Colin C No.3]

What a surprise, it's like waiting for Christmas ffs

More like waiting for Brexit!!

[Axholme Lion]

What a surprise, it's like waiting for Christmas ffs

More like waiting for Brexit!!

Nothing could take that long!

[PDX_Rover]

I don’t know Bolton had a premier league academy. How odd. Phhhhrrrrrttt

[Wiltshire Exile]

I think that 1 of the main points about Macclesfield not playing apart from not being paid is that there is no insurance cover if the players are injured. So I've been told.

Raven: Apparently, insurance cover has now been paid, and players have been training since Tuesday. See this BBC link:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50423155. Scroll down to penultimate paragraph.

[eastender]

Marc Iles

I understand the EFL verdict might stretch as far as Wednesday, now.
Not like we've been waiting ages or anything... #bwfc

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Marc Iles

I understand the EFL verdict might stretch as far as Wednesday, now.
Not like we've been waiting ages or anything... #bwfc

Let's hope that's a sign that things maybe going in our favour.

[drfchound]

Marc Iles

I understand the EFL verdict might stretch as far as Wednesday, now.
Not like we've been waiting ages or anything... #bwfc

Let's hope that's a sign that things maybe going in our favour.

I hope so too but I’m not sure why you would say that DBR.

[karldew]

Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony believes the Football League could have opened themselves up to possible legal action by League One clubs.

MacAnthony has backed his manager Darren Ferguson in questioning why some clubs benefitted from playing against Bolton’s youth team earlier in the season while that club’s future was in doubt.

Top two Ipswich and Wycombe both beat Bolton in August, but the Trotters are now free of financial trouble and fielding stronger sides.

MacAnthony said: “If Wycombe or Ipswich win promotion by a point over teams who didn’t play against Bolton’s youth team it will be wrong.

“The EFL have potentially opened themselves up to lawsuits.

“The Bolton team is now stronger, they will be well coached by a top manager and they will be backed by a brilliant fanbase. The league didn’t handle the situation well.”

Bolton are bottom of League One on -2 points and could yet face a further points deduction after also calling a game off early in the season

[the vicar]

People keep saying about appealing the decision when there has been nothing dished out yet, but I am not sure there will be any appeal and the EFL are a law to them selves and probably won't even listen to our club. We have probably done all we can and gone as far as we can

[vaya]

People keep saying about appealing the decision when there has been nothing dished out yet, but I am not sure there will be any appeal and the EFL are a law to them selves and probably won't even listen to our club. We have probably done all we can and gone as far as we can

Unfortunately, I'm inclined to agree.

[godlike1]

People keep saying about appealing the decision when there has been nothing dished out yet, but I am not sure there will be any appeal and the EFL are a law to them selves and probably won't even listen to our club. We have probably done all we can and gone as far as we can

Does that mean you know something?

[DonnyBazR0ver]

People keep saying about appealing the decision when there has been nothing dished out yet, but I am not sure there will be any appeal and the EFL are a law to them selves and probably won't even listen to our club. We have probably done all we can and gone as far as we can

This is not the EFLs decision. The Disciplinary  Commission will serve their judgement on Bolton. In that judgement they will specify the rules that have been broken and the sanctions for each breach (assuming there is more than one breach}. It will order either a points deduction, a fine, or both and, possibly an order to pay compensation to us and possibly a forfeit of the game. The judgement served in writing will include the right to appeal and detail the process should Bolton wish to appeal.

The responsibility to apply the sanctions is then handed to the EFL, who deduct the points and collect any fines etc.

If Bolton opt to appeal, they must do it in writing and be specific about the grounds of their appeal and pay the fee. Any appeal will be heard by an Independant tribunal, not the EFL.

The rules don't make it clear how a 3rd party like us, could also appeal.

This is not something that can be swept under the carpet on a whim. The FA and EFL know this will be up for public scrutiny and could be subject to much criticism if they don't get it right. I suspect that's why they are taking their time over delivering the judgement.

[The Red Baron]

Marc Iles, the Bolton News football correspondent, tweeted last night that the verdict may not be made public until Wednesday. At this rate, Brexit will be sorted out sooner!

[dknward2]

In other news come on MK Dons.... Can't believe I said that