QuoteOn the football side of things, I agree with you Ali, I would much rather beat Pats on the pitch and win the league without it being handed to us by points deductions.
On the other hand, rules are rules. It says in the rulebook that a team fielding an illegible player will be deducted three points for each game that players plays in, so 9 points being deducted from Pats is in accordance with the rulebook.
Whether that rule is wise or not is irrelevant. It's the rule! The FAI have acted consistently within their own rules, no special teatment shown, no excessive brutality shown, the FAI did what they did in accordance with the rules drawn up by them and which all teams participating in the league agree to abide by, and if not, they are aware of the consequences beforehand. Pats never denied this happening did they, they've offered excuses, but never denied. So we have a case where a breach of the rules has occurred, this is not in questions, and a penalty appropriate according to the rules has been handed down. Pats should have taken their punishment like men.
The fact that an independant arbitration has overturned the decision, in effect undermining the FAI's authority in it's own matters, is very worrying and creates a very dangerous precident. All any reasonable-minded supporter would want is just for the rules to be applied to all teams, and it has not happened here, and it leaves the door open for clubs to have any punishments metted out by the FAI rescinded in the future, if they can afford it!
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