Drogs penalty-possible FAI Smudge?

**Rovers Maniac** · 19/10/2008, 12:59 AM

This is looking more and more like the classic FAI smudge, Drogs have yet not got a penalty against them and the rumor is they won't be getting a 10 point deduction either like Cork. It seems because Drogheda were 'straight with the FAI' they will lessen the penalty to a much smaller deduction or a fine. This is also a rumor that is circulating on the Drogs forum and in the word of one poster "Europe is still on". It seems Drogheda are saying they are only in debt because of the stadium and not because they have given massive contracts to their players whom they can't pay now as well as not being able to pay the tax man.

I hope that the FAI do not pull this trick, but it is exactly the tone of some quotes by an FAI official the day after the news broke that Drogs were in trouble and it looks like happening now. Cork City got notification of their deduction within 8 days after they announced they would be applying for Examinership, but yet nothing from the FAI in relation to Drogs.

It is not a mandatory penalty of 10 points if you enter examinership it is up to a disciplinary committee instead to give the verdict. I think here we have one rule for one club and another for another. It should be the same as you have in England which is the a minimum points detuction. Interesting times ahead and i hope i proved wrong.

**Jeebus** · 19/10/2008, 3:56 AM

Originally Posted by Rovers Maniac

This is looking more and more like the classic FAI smudge, Drogs have yet not got a penalty against them and the rumor is they won't be getting a 10 point deduction either like Cork. It seems because Drogheda were 'straight with the FAI' they will lessen the penalty to a much smaller deduction or a fine. This is also a rumor that is circulating on the Drogs forum and in the word of one poster "Europe is still on". It seems Drogheda are saying they are only in debt because of the stadium and not because they have given massive contracts to their players whom they can't pay now as well as not being able to pay the tax man.

I hope that the FAI do not pull this trick, but it is exactly the tone of some quotes by an FAI official the day after the news broke that Drogs were in trouble and it looks like happening now. Cork City got notification of their deduction within 8 days after they announced they would be applying for Examinership, but yet nothing from the FAI in relation to Drogs.

It is not a mandatory penalty of 10 points if you enter examinership it is up to a disciplinary committee instead to give the verdict. I think here we have one rule for one club and another for another. It should be the same as you have in England which is the a minimum points detuction. Interesting times ahead and i hope i proved wrong.

Surely the 10 point deduction is mandatory or examinership????

**SMorgan** · 19/10/2008, 7:45 AM

Originally Posted by Jeebus

Surely the 10 point deduction is mandatory or examinership????

No, the points deduction is not mandatory and it could be more or it could be less. I am of the opinion that Drogheda will received the same sanction that was imposed on Cork City.

Its natural that comparison will be made between Cork City and Drogheda United and I am sure a lot of people will be watching to ensure there is consistency in the handling of the cases.

Of course the 2 cases are different. Are we ever likely to get 2 identical cases?

Drogheda owe only 60% of the amount Cork did. However, Drogheda owe twice as much as Cork did to Revenue. As somebody once said, its not so much how much you owe, its who you owe it to. Owing money to the Revenue is better than owing it to the local drug dealer, but perhaps not a hell of a lot. They will pursue their money with vengeance.

The owners of Cork City disappeared before the club went into administration, but in Drogheda’s case they are still around. This is being presented as a positive by Drogheda's fans, but I am not sure. I am sure those involved at Cork City would have made the point that any sanction imposed would not punish those that caused the problem as they were well gone and don't care. Those that caused the problem at Drogheda are still there and in place and will have to deal with any sanction imposed.

There is also ownership of the grounds. Cork City don't own the ground they use, end of. Drogheda are taking comfort from the fact that United Park is theirs, but if anybody comes looking, its not really theirs. There is no doubt that Drogheda United has a significant interest in United Park that is likely to be considered an asset that can be disposed of should a creditor come looking. This, "we have sole use of the ground and we can sell the ground and use the proceeds to buy a new ground, but we don't own the ground" is unlikely to stand the test of a High Court case.

Also if Drogheda say that the ground is not theirs, then they are basically saying thay are assetless. Is it really in their interest to say that? I don't know.

My opinion is that both Shamrock Rovers and Cork City were in much stronger positions than Drogheda United are currently in. However, that's only my observation which may well be wrong. Some are arguing the Drogheda are in a much stronger position than Cork.

**brianw82** · 19/10/2008, 7:58 AM

Each case should be assessed on its own merits, but there should be some points deduction at least.
This is just to be fair, I'm not saying this because a points deduction for Drogheda increases our chances of getting into Europe/Setanta Cup, which is the impression I get from the lads above (correct me if I'm wrong, please!)

**tiktok** · 19/10/2008, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Rovers Maniac

It seems because Drogheda were 'straight with the FAI' they will lessen the penalty to a much smaller deduction or a fine.

Drogs fans seem to be basing this on the fact that they were straight with the FAI over the stadium issues. They're not gone into examinership because their planning permission was denied, they're gone into examinership because the owners of the club owe a huge amount of money to creditors and can't pay it, I'm not so sure they were straight with the FAI about that.

Only difference between Cork and Drogs is that Arkaga could pay the creditors buit didn't want to and wanted out. Hoey et all claim they can't pay the creditors but want to hang around.

Any points deduction is made by an independent commission, our deduction was "for entering examinership", who we had told beforehand about our issies etc., didn't come into it. If Drogs are treated differently, Id be disappointed.

**Dodge** · 19/10/2008, 11:18 AM

Relax, it took a couple of weeks for the FAI to act on Cork. I'd imagine it'll be the same with Drogheda.

(Oh, and we had this dramaqueen **** then too)

**Rovers Maniac** · 19/10/2008, 11:46 AM

Well Cork and the rest of the league were informed quicker than this. In both cases the people pumping the funds into both clubs stopped as it was no longer a viable investment and pulled the plug (V Hoey two friends don't have their names) so the similiarites are pretty clear in both cases.
An interview in the the Indo on the Friday after the news that they (Drogs) were in trouble, that i first seen an indication being set by the FAI that Drogs were not going to be treated as harsly as Cork, so i am not sure how independent the independent committee if the FAI are already give clear indications that the sactions will not be as harsh. It would appear the decision was has been made already. As i said before i hope i am wrong and they get treated the same as what Cork got treated. Going forward i would say a 10 point mandatory deduction in place a club should receive for going into examinership and then depending on each case the committee can issue the club with an increase on that if they see fit.

Rant over from this drama queen

but i do hope all clubs are treated the same as it gives more confidence in the league from a fan perspective as well as the general public.

**thischarmingman** · 19/10/2008, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by brianw82

I'm not saying this because a points deduction for Drogheda increases our chances of getting into Europe/Setanta Cup, which is the impression I get from the lads above (correct me if I'm wrong, please!)

Dear God let's hope not. I'm sure it would be great for Sligo but would be an absolute disaster for the league and a blow to the hard work of the last few years.

**higgins** · 19/10/2008, 11:50 AM

Rovers got no points deduction for entering Examinership.

The FAI make it up as they go along so nothing would surprise me here...

**tiktok** · 19/10/2008, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Rovers Maniac

Well Cork and the rest of the league were informed quicker than this. .

We weren't, it took a couple of weeks.

**tiktok** · 19/10/2008, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by higgins

Rovers got no points deduction for entering Examinership.

The FAI make it up as they go along so nothing would surprise me here...

That pre-dated the current licensing rules, didn't it?

**Rovers Maniac** · 19/10/2008, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by tiktok

We weren't, it took a couple of weeks.

I am pretty sure it took 8 days but fair enough if it did. I suppose only time well tell.

**tiktok** · 19/10/2008, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Rovers Maniac

I am pretty sure it took 8 days but fair enough if it did. I suppose only time well tell.

You're right actually, it was eight days, that still gives Drogs until early next week though.

**OneRedArmy** · 19/10/2008, 12:39 PM

Talking about FAI sanctions is like rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic with Drogs oweing the Revenue 750k.

They haven't a hope of getting a license for next season without a TCC.

**Inside Man** · 19/10/2008, 2:38 PM

The league would offically became an utter disgrace if Drogs got away with this. The FAI simply must imply a 10 piont deduction at least. They must be consistant with desicions. I remember Longford got 6pts last year for just sending a bloody letter in late to the revenue. Drogs owe them 750k. Bit of realism is needed. Drogs will get 10pts deduction.

**passerrby** · 19/10/2008, 2:45 PM

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Talking about FAI sanctions is like rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic with Drogs oweing the Revenue 750k.

They haven't a hope of getting a license for next season without a TCC.

at least five clubs started this season without one as they had been given intrem tcc which is a copout

**brianw82** · 19/10/2008, 3:37 PM

What's a TCC?

**HarpoJoyce** · 19/10/2008, 3:45 PM

Originally Posted by brianw82

What's a TCC?

Tax Clearance Certificate usually issued by the Revenue Commissioners.

Originally Posted by passerrby

at least five clubs started this season without one as they had been given intrem tcc which is a copout

passerby if the Tax Clearance Certificate was issued by the Revenue Commissioners and fell within the accepted dates of the License Application then there is no reason for the Licensing Authority to refuse it.

**Candystripe** · 19/10/2008, 5:18 PM

Originally Posted by thischarmingman

Dear God let's hope not. I'm sure it would be great for Sligo but would be an absolute disaster for the league and a blow to the hard work of the last few years.

Do you think that Drogs would do better than Sligo in Europe next season?

Drogs would be lucky to even have 11 part-time players playing 1st division football!I think that would undo all the good results from the last few years more so.

Another thing, if Bohs court cases go belly up then how will they pay the massive overdraft they used this season?

**pineapple stu** · 19/10/2008, 5:25 PM

Is that a rhetorical question?

Funny, I thought Cork were docked ten points almost as soon as the examiner was confirmed (the problems were obvious from a while back when Arkaga pulled out), so the original post occurred to me too, but I could well be wrong. In that case, we're just waiting for the next meeting of the FAI licencing committee. Can't see how they can avoid a ten point deduction.