Have just been reading about the Swiss side Sion's points deduction for fielding ineligible players, a whopping 36 points off - am not sure what to make of it. After being booted out of the Europa Cup for a similar offence, it seems that FIFA decided to stick their oar in - and blackmailed the Swiss FA into taking action against the club by threatening to ban them from all competitions if they didn't 'punish' the club. The Swiss FA have deducted 3 points for each game that the six ineligible players were involved in - 12 in all - which leaves them on -5 points and appears to ensure their relegation. A bit heavy handed? I suppose something had to be done as they signed the 6 players in question whilst a transfer embargo was in place, but 36 points? And FIFA resorting to blackmail? Any thoughts?
I think its very Harsh , why Fifa needed to get involved I dont know , I really am of the opinion that is a breakaway international footy organisation was to form and challenge Fifa then all UK leagues should support it!
Draconian punishment and unprecedented that fifa should be bullying the Swiss F.A. in this way. Maybe the Swiss just want to keep F.C. Basle in the champions league and not neutralize their great result against Man. Utd. Maybe the two ties against Bayern and possible further attractive ties, and the money coming in from those,could be recycled in some way - because they (Basle) are the main beneficiaries of this decision.
Given the commercial implications of relegation, I suspect Sion's best chance is in the Swiss courts. If FIFA were to take retaliatory action against Swiss football for abiding by the law, they would in turn have a very strong case at the CAS.
Believe they should take it as far as they can legally , yes they were in the wrong , but the punishment does not befit the crime!
Perhaps the Swiss people could throw FIFA out of their headquarters. I believe there is and empty building in London they could use, the FA certainly do nothing in their building.
