So they forfeit the game instead? / I actually don't think that should be the case... Unless it happens too often. Though 22 games is too often.
It wouldn't happen more than once. Honestly, I'm sick of them acting as though the rules don't apply to them - nothing is too Draconian as far as I'm concerned. Of course, it's just something else for them to drag through the courts.
First time it happens in a season... Give the manager a warning. Second time it happens give the manager a stern warning that includes wagging a finger. Third time... Ok now make them forfeit the game. There will be times when teams legitimately might be late out and it would be too harsh to really throw the book at them for one offence.
I agree. I'm just pissed off with City flouting all the rules. Actually I think 3 times then a point deducted would be enough. Not as harsh as forfeiting the game but it has to be harsh enough to bite. The punishments have to be tailored to the circumstances, and £2m to a club like City for 22 offences is just pathetic. It's not even that big a transgression compared to the other stuff they get up to, but it's part of the bigger picture - they have to recognise that the rules are there for everyone.
The rules make provision for legitimate reasons for delay. I'm sure it's highly unlikely that the whole team got locked in the toilet. Maybe once but 22 times ......
Should the fine amount be based on the club's resources rather than the offence? Seems a bit odd that, if Brentford did it 22 times would a £2m fine be okay because they're not state backed? This isn't anything new either is it, I'm sure we've all been at games over the years when one team has kept the other waiting a few minutes after HT. I've always assumed it's a psychological thing designed to wind up the opposing team/fans. The fact it was done 22 times of course shows it's part of a more premeditated tactic rather than one off decisions taken at half time during a match so it's right they're punished. I'm trying to recall if any clubs (bar Palace last year) have previously been fined for such repeated offences of this. I'd argue a sporting sanction would be a more effective deterrent for PL clubs tbh.
A bit like your tactic of a player going down (14 out of 22 PL games) between the 60th and 70th minute No rule against it, of course, but designed to give you an advantage. Or moving 'barriers' forward to stop opposition long throws
That's why I favour a point deduction for repeated offending. A fine is meaningless to a club with bottomless resources. Like I said, I don't think it's that terrible a crime, but it's symptomatic of the club's owners "untouchable" attitude. In their own country, they make up the laws to suit themselves, and they're presumably confounded by the idea that they can't just do what they want, whenever they want. It's an attitude that seems to have seeped down into the club at many levels. I've just read that Pep said of the fine "I just read it in the news. I would try to do my speeches at half-time shorter." I'm assuming he said that sardonically.
Well it's not like that as there are rules against this? Don't recall the players going down thing but assume that was under Hasenhuttl? Probably would have been easier for him to realise that playing the all out press for 90 minutes every single game wasn't possible. The fans certainly realised that was true very quickly. The advertising hoardings thing was hilarious I thought. Was one of the first things I noticed when I turned up for the play off match against wba as it was so obviously different to the entire season. Reminded me of when towels to dry the ball got banned on the touchline after Wenger crying about Stoke so they made Rory Delap a special shirt with a towel fitted to it
Yeah agree with all of that mate. I just find the argument about £2m not being enough because they're rich strange. The punishment should be the same for all clubs/level of offences in my view. Let's face it a fine of that amount isn't bothering any PL club who earn in excess of 50 times that amount per season from TV money alone.
I did say there was no rule against it. That's also why I said "a bit like" ie gamesmanship. In the 22/23 season Southampton and Brentford were the teams at the top of the time wasting league. Brentford for taking the ball out of play the most and Southampton for having a player go down always between 60th and 70th minute, in 14 games. They were clearly tactical moves by both clubs. Some pundits even applauded it.
I was half right re the manager then as he was sacked that November. Yeah it's clearly tactical and gamesmanship. Didn't do us much good though as we were essentially relegated by February
I know it's a running joke that we have, but surely a part of you is pleased to be back in the PL - just a teensy bit?
Not in the slightest, last season was brilliant with no VAR and outside the PL hype bubble. This one's gonna be awful. Only good thing is getting a final trip to Goodison which is one of my favourite grounds, and it's even better that it's the last ever game there. I've basically renewed my season ticket (at £170 increase) just to make sure I can keep my away priority up and am hoping to sell on most home games. On the plus side I think our chances of staying up are extremely slim so I'll be able to start ticking new grounds off again in 25/26 (been to every PL ground)
I don't follow transfer windows so not 100% on all of our business but apparently we played close to our strongest line up today and it looks worse than our championship team last season... Think the managers style will lead to a lot of batterings like Sheffield United got last season. Off to Newcastle for opening day in a couple of weeks which I think will be 4/5 easily.
