On one hand the sanctions seem laughable, on the other I'm not sure what else the FAI could do that's meaningful within current rules. A points deduction is like stealing a bald man's comb, but why not allow them to sign players on amateur terms to replace free agent pros and see out the season? And is there any reason why revenue from the Irn Bru couldn't be ringfenced for players' wages? It seems daft to remove any revenue stream from a club that needs, well, revenue.
If there's anything in this it's that it shows - yet again - that we're long past time there needs to be an overhaul of the rules so that bad directors face personal consequences.
- Automatic reporting of suspected infringements to the Director of Corporate Enforcement, Gardaí, Revenue etc where relevant.
- Minimum length bans from any football-related activity for directors who bring clubs to these situations.
- Application for personal judgements for any financial liabilities.
- Hefty fines for directors rather than clubs for maladministration.
- Appointment of independent directors on crisis boards for a minimum period, with all subsequent directors having to pass a meaninful fit and proper test.
I've said much of this here before, but if the prospect of losing your business and family home was a consequence of deliberate or negligent mismanagement, it would make some of the chancers who flit around the league think twice before swaggering in like a bloody bunch of pirates.
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