What worries me about these charges

[march56]

spot on maddix!

[Rangerslad]

Surely they can't dock more than 10 points so as long as we stay 10 points ahead, then it's all good?!?!?! I reckon we can maintain the lead.

[stan_bowles]

Think a points deduction is unlikely myself.

Think a fine and warning over future conduct.

[bushcelt1]

the only points i want to hear about are the ones we're going to rack up to claim the title.....other than that............... -i'll leave the rest to your imagination.

[swanleyhoop]

Surely they can't dock more than 10 points so as long as we stay 10 points ahead, then it's all good?!?!?! I reckon we can maintain the lead.

And I think we'll open up the gap between us and Norwich to 11 today, because I think we'll win and they won't. Same on Tuesday.
Any points deduction would be unprecedented for offences not giving an on-the-field advantage and 10 would be way inappropriate -- Luton's 10 point deduction was for many more offences (60-odd?) which included nothing short of under-the-table bribes to keep players with them who would have otherwise left, which DID give them a huge playing advantage.
I suspect that is one case which our lawyers would point to in the case of any substantial points deduction.

And if I read one more stupid oppo fan saying we fielded an ineligible player, I'll SCREAM!!!

HE IS NOT, AND WAS NEVER, INELIGIBLE AT ANY POINT FOR ANY REASON!!!
AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

[trumpet trousers]

The bit that worries me most is faurlin being ineligible at the begining of the season

[swanleyhoop]

There was a period mid sep/mid-oct when his eligibility MIGHT have been compromised -- but was also the period when he was suddenly out "injured".
The FA have said he was eligible for all games he played in -- so it sounds as though that 'injury' (real or otherwise) may have come at a very convenient time

[RussRanger]

Well, I could spend the next 4 weeks worrying about the outcome or I could spend the next 4 weeks enjoying the ride. Option 2 sounds best. Not going to bother worrying about things that may or may not happen and having 4 miserable weeks - possibly for nothing?

[swanleyhoop]

I'm planning to celebrate whatever -- and if the worst comes to the worst, will still be chanting "Champions" at the Leeds game, ass we all should, because that's what our team are!

[Scarlet pimple]

Another angle on a punishment if we are found guilty, from LFWs.

After a winter in Kenya to build himself up after a number of dis-appointments Flavio Briatore returns to the UK via Italy having being intrusted with negotiating powers to introduce Red Bull to the owners of Fiorentina Football Club. A sale of Fiorentina has been denied and it may have to be put on the backburner whilst an alternative Sponsorship deal is concluded with the possibility of a buy-out taking place behind the scenes with gradual purchase of shares over a period of time.
As Flavio denies any interest or knowledge of this relationship he has started negotiations with the Directors of Norwich City F.C on behalf of the Valle Colle family who own Fiorentina.
Norwich City's recently installed Director, Private Equity expert Alan Bowket, known as a lifelong Canaries fan, has a house in Lucca in the heart of Tuscany. He was introduced to Norwich to fund the possible attempt for Premiership promotion with the astute employment of Paul Lambert.
Bowkets role was to introduce funding both for the possibility of success in the Championship and then the Premiership whilst seeing that Delia Smith needed to reduce her capital that had been tied up in the Club.
A Private Equity deal would seem to be a natural solution, Norwich City is a well supported Club, with a modern stadium, the loyalty of its fans is legendary regardless of position in the Leagues.
As Flavio networks on this deal, he also has started negotiations with Southampton FC which could also be suited to a similar Private Equity deal. The Club has many similarities to Norwich City and has the potential to launch a sustained attempt to get into the premiership with the correct funding.
Flavio Briatore see's himself as having successful experience in managing the takeover and subsequent launch on a promotion run of under-performing English Football Clubs. He contacts amongst the biggest sponsors, the personally wealthy, and large private equity funds is possibly un-matched.
Have the dangers of his brutish and un-diplomatic management skills should have taught business partners, whilst keeping close to Flavio for business benefits, that he cannot be at a operational level in the running of those businesses.
It will become apparent if the hand of Flavio lie's at the heart of QPR's FA trials that are still to be faced by the Club. Flavio's duplitious methods have removed him from Formula One team Management, his Tax affairs somehow still remain unclear.
Flavio Briatore is in some way part of the success that is just perhaps a week away for QPR, there is no doubt his machiavellian business techniques have left, equally dark character Gianni Paladini, behind. What perhaps distinguish's the two is that Paladini has grown to love the Club whilst Briatore does not.
They both have done great things for the Club, their success seems to have left a bad taste in the mouths of fans who support their ventures. Equally that bad taste often ends in legal retribution from sporting rulers.
Both Formula One and The FA have waited till sometime later to deal with the outfall from Briatore and Paladini's activities. It remains unclear why both Formula One and The FA delayed for so long before looking for reconciliation.
The outcome that i believe would be politically correct is that if Paladini is proved to have been fraudulent in the re-negotiation of Faurlins contract that he is seen to be unsuitable for Club Management by the FA and the Club are made to remove him as a Director and Employee. If the hand of Briatore can be seen in these acts apply the same result.
I believe this is the result that The FA seek whether their legal team can draw the evidence will be a test of the 'case'
As for QPR FC, a substantial fine and a fine of Thirty points. This fine is suspended for three years whilst QPR ensures full compliance with current FA and Premier League regulations.
I think i see this as the two sided hand of justice, the protagonists are punished, compliance begins and can be measured, the Club is punished but can move forward carefully within the regulations.
The headlines Directors removed, Club fined XX Million, QPR hit with Thirty Points.......suspended for three years....

[swanleyhoop]

30 points deduction, suspended -- I could live with that, PROVIDED the club get rid of ANYONE who has acted incompetently and caused this situation.
Unfortunately, the COMPETENT one was sacked -- Sheila Marson.
(Probably for questioning irregularities...)

[stan_bowles]

30 points deduction, suspended -- I could live with that, PROVIDED the club get rid of ANYONE who has acted incompetently and caused this situation.
Unfortunately, the COMPETENT one was sacked -- Sheila Marson.
(Probably for questioning irregularities...)

Agree Swanley.

Sheila probably knew too much.

Hopefully will see the end of Paladini and Briatorie.

[acricketer]

Why go for a spurious number of points as punishment? If the crime deserves not to be promoted, make that the punishment. If relegation, make it relegation.

If we get docked say, 20 points we could still end up in the playoffs. How fair is that to the other teams in the playoffs who are playing now against the best side in the division, lowering their chances of promotion?

What about the team that finishes 7th, who we probably beat. What rights do they have? If we are docked points the big winner potentially is the 3rd place side. What about everyone else in the division?

It will be 0 points or 30 points.

Do the charges warrant 30 points, one of the severest penalties in the history of the FA?

[swanleyhoop]

If it's suspended, who cares, as long as the club gets its house in order to prevent it coming into play at a later date.
Might be the most effective way to get the club operating above board and in a proper manner -- too much cloak and dagger stuff in recent years, and, it has to be said, bears too much similarity to the dodgy way that many top ITALIAN clubs are run.

[stan_bowles]

If it's suspended, who cares, as long as the club gets its house in order to prevent it coming into play at a later date.
Might be the most effective way to get the club operating above board and in a proper manner -- too much cloak and dagger stuff in recent years, and, it has to be said, bears too much similarity to the dodgy way that many top ITALIAN clubs are run.

Not any different to the pre agent days though.Back then it was brown envelopes in mangers back pockets.Now it's agents taking the backhanders.