Article in Today's Star

According to an article in today's Star Shamrock Rovers may be deducted 10 points by the licencing commitee. This is because they provided false information on their license application. The rules in this area don't mention points deductions as a sanction, but don't say such a penalty cannot be imposed either. Actually by the letter of the law Rovers could simply be thrown out of the league due to having their license revoked, but that is extremely unlikely.

As I see it a ten point deduction would be a very lenient penalty given the actions of Rovers board over the last few seasons.

Anyways, things should become clearer over the next few days.

If they get deducted 10 points their as good as relagated and if they get relagated their as good as fcuked,it's a shame really(no irony intended)

I really hope Shamrock Rovers are not deducted the ten points, as a Harps fan I have lots of respect for Rovers as a club but in particular for the fans, they are a credit to the club and when in Ballybofey they are among some of the most welcome supporters. I hope Harps can survive this year but I would rather we do that on the field of play than rely on a points deduction for Rovers.

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Originally Posted by six flags

I really hope Shamrock Rovers are not deducted the ten points, as a Harps fan I have lots of respect for Rovers as a club but in particular for the fans, they are a credit to the club and when in Ballybofey they are among some of the most welcome supporters. I hope Harps can survive this year but I would rather we do that on the field of play than rely on a points deduction for Rovers.

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well said. and very magnanimous

That "as good as fcuked" comment induces some mirth!

What are they going to do? There is no provision in the licencing rules for any specific punishment and in Rovers case the examinership actually satisfies MORE of the licence conditions than if Rovers had continued as before.

If the FAI try anything here is what will happen:

1. The media will be given minuted details of meetings where the FAI were informed about discrepencies BEFORE they awarded the licence.

2. If that does not stop them an injunction pending a judicial review will be sought. As i said above, the liccence is a joke and Rovers would succeed in court.

3. The league might then try something in which case Rovers would seek a Judicial review of the entire licencing process to ensure it was fair and equal. Olly would certainly not like that.

4. And while we're at it, pats have a league title to their name despite having finished 3rd one year so since we finished 2nd we'll blow that one apart too.

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Originally Posted by D2 Red

If they get deducted 10 points their as good as relagated and if they get relagated their as good as fcuked,it's a shame really(no irony intended)

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If rovers get deducted 10points, they will still stay up. You will see on Friday night how bad Harps are :mad:

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Originally Posted by Green Force

That "as good as fcuked" comment induces some mirth!

What are they going to do? There is no provision in the licencing rules for any specific punishment and in Rovers case the examinership actually satisfies MORE of the licence conditions than if Rovers had continued as before.

If the FAI try anything here is what will happen:

1. The media will be given minuted details of meetings where the FAI were informed about discrepencies BEFORE they awarded the licence.

2. If that does not stop them an injunction pending a judicial review will be sought. As i said above, the liccence is a joke and Rovers would succeed in court.

3. The league might then try something in which case Rovers would seek a Judicial review of the entire licencing process to ensure it was fair and equal. Olly would certainly not like that.

4. And while we're at it, pats have a league title to their name despite having finished 3rd one year so since we finished 2nd we'll blow that one apart too.

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Only one club are trying ot get their debts written off. Do you honestly think its fair that No punishment is given out while other clubs try to pay their bills. Just wondering as it sets avery dangerous precendent.

And where would Rovers get the money to fund all these court proceedings? Aren't they in some debt already?

I don't believe that Rovers will be deducted 10 points, or receive any punishment bar a slap on the wrists.

However, that does make a joke of the entire licensing issue and would be a very poor signal to clubs that actually have their house in order. And I'd be saying that whatever the league situation. I have great respect for the majority of Rovers fans, and they deserve none of this but I'm surprised that so many people on here seem to believe that Rovers as a club should get off scot-free.

It would seem its clear that Rovers broke the letter of the law if not exactly any individual one.

If no punishment written down don't see how the licencing committee can just decide on punishment. Their failure to notice earlier IMO essentailly gives Rovers a free pass. What would ahppen if they didn't discover until the last few weeks of the league?

I think Harps are so poor & seem to show so little fight that odds on for relegation even if Rovers deducted points. Felix Healys interviews show a beaten manager so can only imagine what the players feel.

And exactly how many Harps games have you been at? We have a very young team that's suffered a lot of injuries and we will hopefully strengthen in July. I happen to believe that we can stay up regardless of what happens to Rovers.

Maybe what we should do is go out and sign 11 new players on 2k a week each in July, we can't pay them but sure what the hell!!!

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Originally Posted by Galway Harps

And exactly how many Harps games have you been at? We have a very young team that's suffered a lot of injuries and we will hopefully strengthen in July. I happen to believe that we can stay up regardless of what happens to Rovers.

Maybe what we should do is go out and sign 11 new players on 2k a week each in July, we can't pay them but sure what the hell!!!

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I was only pointing out the facts not the excuses.

Felix Healy doesn't inspire me with confidence. His interviews are always "...sure we did what we could, unlucky, hard to compete with big boys...aaahhh"

I've doing against ye & would like ye to stay up but don't see anything in your results or admittadly the 1 game i was at.

.. when Limerick got a licence last year, along with Shamrock Rovers, the charade was exposed. Clubs like Sligo, Galway, Kilkenny and Monaghan are effectively being punished for adhereing to UEFA guidelines.

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Originally Posted by D2 Red

If they get deducted 10 points their as good as relagated and if they get relagated their as good as fcuked,it's a shame really(no irony intended)

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if they were relegated , it would give them a chance to re-group. Are you suggesting that the fans would stop following them , because their in the First division.? THe league needs two divisions, it makes it interesting. If they went down, they'd bounce straight back up.

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Originally Posted by pete

I was only pointing out the facts not the excuses.

Felix Healy doesn't inspire me with confidence. His interviews are always "...sure we did what we could, unlucky, hard to compete with big boys...aaahhh"

I've doing against ye & would like ye to stay up but don't see anything in your results or admittadly the 1 game i was at.

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Felix has never said anything like that in any of his interviews. He has repeatedy said that we are more than a match for most teams we have played, that we have given away silly goals, 3 dodgy penos and 2 ogs included and that when we get over the injury crisis and get our squad fit we will beat anybody on our day.

eg. http://www.donegaldemocrat.com/story/5053

He has said this with such conviction and repetition in the face of bad results the Derry lads are comparing him to Comical Ali, the infamous Iraqi information minister.

Get you facts right.

TG

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Originally Posted by chippie0001

Only one club are trying ot get their debts written off. Do you honestly think its fair that No punishment is given out while other clubs try to pay their bills. Just wondering as it sets avery dangerous precendent.

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I agree that there should be some punishment, but as ever the rule book is reactionary. Can't just make up a rule now and back date it imo - it'd just end up in court.

The FAI/Licencing committee are fooked from what I can make out - Rovers fans/ the 400 Club went to the FAI before the awarding of the licence pointing out irregularities. The licence was still awarded, so what punishment exactly can they dish out now when they knew before the issuing of the licence?

The FAI are on a sticky wicket here. If they turn a blind eye to Shamrock Rovers's situation, they will leave themselves open to severe sanctions from UEFA, with the possible loss of the agency to administer football in this country.

BTW Roddly Collins last match as Rovers manager will be this weekend.

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Originally Posted by Ringo

if they were relegated , it would give them a chance to re-group.

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I agree. A trip to the first division wouldn't kill the club, much smaller clubs survive down there than Rovers. It might even give them a chance to cut their ridiculous wage bills.

As it happens, I don't think Rovers would necesseraraly be relegated by the ten point deduction. It's a fair penalty for submitting false documents.

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Originally Posted by Macy

The FAI/Licencing committee are fooked from what I can make out - Rovers fans/ the 400 Club went to the FAI before the awarding of the licence pointing out irregularities. The licence was still awarded, so what punishment exactly can they dish out now when they knew before the issuing of the licence?

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I agree that it weakens the FAI's case IF they knew about this before the license was issued, but its Rovers responsibility to meet the Licensing requirements at all times.

If they submitted false accounts there should be some punishment. Its not the FAI's responsibility to check the veracity of every document, particularly a document that has already been external verified (ie the audited accounts).

We're all adults and the rules are there to be complied with. Who found the breach is immaterial.

My major concern is that Rovers are the most high profilee example of non-compliance, but I would bet my house they aren't the only one. I suspect if there is a tough punishment handed down to Rovers, a lot of other clubs will have the rosary beads out hoping their accounts, tax and legal issues won't be held up to the same level of scrutiny.

If they do get severely punished and I was a Rovers fan I'd be annoyed at being made an example and scapegoat for problems that have been knocking around domestic football administration for years.

If this is the line in the sand then everyone else has to be treated the same going forward.

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Originally Posted by drummerboy

, they will leave themselves open to severe sanctions from UEFA, with the possible loss of the agency to administer football in this country.

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So what you're saying is that Irish football could benefit enormously from this fiasco. Wouldn't that be magic

I agree with my Bald colleague. Ten points mightn't necessarily send them down and this pessimistic belief that relegation would kill Rovers doesn't hold too much weight for me.

Crowds would drop, but not as much as I hear being bandied about. More importantly the wage bill could be slashed big time. I don't want to see any club in a mess but if anything continued tolerance of administative problems will just continue this culture where crisis is the norm at Rovers and their fans will be the ones to suffer.