No reprieve for hapless Hatters
15 Jul 2008 - 14:09:25
Luton Town look certain to start the 2008-09 campaign with minus 30 points after losing an appeal against the FA's decision to hand them a ten-point deduction for irregularities in dealing with agents.
The Football League gave the Hatters a further 20-point penalty last week after the League Two club were unable to agree a Company Voluntary Arrangement with its creditors.
A statement on the FA's official website read: "The FA Appeal Board heard an appeal by Luton Town against a decision of an FA Regulatory Commission in that it imposed upon the club, in respect of 15 charges of misconduct, an overall sanction of a £50,000 fine along with a deduction of ten points to be operative in the 2008-09 season.
"Having considered the submissions by Luton Town and the FA, the Appeal Board dismissed the appeal and upheld the original Regulatory Commission decision.
"The FA Regulatory Commission's responsibility was to decide the appropriate punishment for Luton Town's admitted breaches of the FA's own rules and regulations.
"The deduction of ten points was a heavy sanction, as it was intended to be, but was not excessive as a reflection of the seriousness of the breaches and the need to deter such conduct within football clubs."