Longford deducted six points

**harps1954** · 16/05/2007, 1:24 PM

Just heard that Longford Town have been deducted six points.

Don't know why or what the full story is yet.

**Mr A** · 16/05/2007, 1:26 PM

So much for a season without *'s on the league table!

Terrible news for the league just when things were going well.

**Mr A** · 16/05/2007, 1:27 PM

It's a club licensing issue- http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...k=view&id=2037

**Torn-Ado** · 16/05/2007, 1:30 PM

Thats great news.

**Jerry The Saint** · 16/05/2007, 1:42 PM

http://www.eircomloi.ie/news_item_91.htm

Longford Town receive 6 point deduction
Wednesday, May 16th , 2.30pm

The FAI Club Licensing Committee met yesterday (May 15, 2007) to review the current compliance status of clubs on whom sanctions were imposed by the Committee on April 16, 2007.

The Committee had given these clubs a further extension, to May 1, 2007, to provide the required information previously due on March 31, 2007. Clubs were on notice that failure to comply by this date would result in fines being imposed.

With the exception of one club, all requested information was provided in time for the Licensing Committee meeting yesterday.

Longford Town FC, however, failed to provide the necessary information and as such they were non-compliant with the requirements of the FAI Club Licensing Manual.

Having already incurred a fine of �6,000, the Committee decided to impose a further sanction on Longford Town FC of a six point deduction in view of the club�s continued failure to adhere to licensing requirements.

The club has five business days to lodge an appeal.

With the exception of one club, all requested information was provided in time for the Licensing Committee meeting yesterday.

So I take it that Shels are in the clear then - all outstanding tax and wage liabilities paid up

Fair play, can't have been easy.

**sligoman** · 16/05/2007, 1:45 PM

Sorry but have to laugh as I know a Longford fan and I'm just picturing his reaction to this

.

**galwayhoop** · 16/05/2007, 1:46 PM

Originally Posted by Rogue Trader

Longford won't come back from this

i presume they will appeal and get a fine instead. it seems seriously harsh tbh. i think our league is by far and away the quickest anywhere to hand out points deductions. if the 6 points remains deducted then longford are fcuked.

i would hate for us to avoid relegation like that

**John83** · 16/05/2007, 1:50 PM

The Committee had given these clubs a further extension, to May 1, 2007, to provide the required information previously due on March 31, 2007.

Anyone know what kind of information?

**Mr A** · 16/05/2007, 1:52 PM

Originally Posted by John83

Anyone know what kind of information?

I understand that Longford wouldn't even tell them that, that's why they got so angry.

**harps1954** · 16/05/2007, 1:53 PM

From what I hear, they haven't produced their accounts. Shamrock Rovers were deducted seven points because of this in 2005 and Limerick lost their licence for more or less the same last year. Shels relegated last year too for outstanding payments to players and tax man.

I can see Alan Matthews walking away from Longford now, as he seems to be fighting a losing battle down there. Longford have had a problem with their licence for a few years now, so I suppose it is something that has been waiting to happen. It would do Longford no harm to do what Rovers and Shels have done - drop down to Division One, regroup and get their club in order and then aim to come up again in the future as a better run club.

I think the last two/three years are showing that licensing will work. Clubs must realise that they have to get their houses in order. In the long run, we'll have a better league for it.

**Jerry The Saint** · 16/05/2007, 2:02 PM

Originally Posted by galwayhoop

i presume they will appeal and get a fine instead.

But they already got a fine and still didn't comply with the regulations. Going by the letter of the law, they may be lucky not to be stripped of their license and would not want to risk this by appealing further (as with SRFC previously).

**pete** · 16/05/2007, 2:05 PM

Landbrokes had Longford at 12/1 at the start of the season to be first team to be deducted points.

When was the last eL season without a * ?

**RonnieB** · 16/05/2007, 2:05 PM

Oh joy.

**noby** · 16/05/2007, 2:14 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Landbrokes had Longford at 12/1 at the start of the season to be first team to be deducted points.

When was the last eL season without a * ?

"an *", surely.

**pete** · 16/05/2007, 2:14 PM

Its hard to know why Longford deducted points at this stage but I suppose as long as the rules are implemented consistently its kind of good thing. The FAI League seems to be much more decisive than the old eL league run by the clubs,

**khoop** · 16/05/2007, 2:14 PM

Surprise, surprise - Longford have simply been deducted the points total that they currently possess.

Does that mean that the FAI "rule" on this matter is something along the lines of: "How many points do they have? Ah sure that'll do!"

**Lim till i die** · 16/05/2007, 2:18 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Landbrokes had Longford at 12/1 at the start of the season to be first team to be deducted points.

Now that betting market says all you need to know about how the League of Ireland is percieved

**MyTown** · 16/05/2007, 2:25 PM

We're due to play them next Tuesday week. Wonder will they do a Dublin City - or will they see the game as an early opportunity to get at least three points back?