faaip wrote:
I quite agree with the last point and even if nothing were on the line I'd want us to fight for that seventh place.
It's a mess though and I see no easy solution unless QPR are found not guilty, QPR if found guilty will appeal, so depending on the penalty
scenario 1: Norwich are promoted and the other four play off as usual, If QPR win then they are re-instated as champions and go up. If they lose the playoff final losers take their place, QPR finish mid table - Teams that finished 3rd and 7th will feel aggrieved
scenario 2 : Norwich go up, 3rd place team goes up and QPR take their place in the Playoffs and winner goes up, If QPR win their appeal they go up and team 3 will not get promotion and no shot at the playoffs, team 7 not affected.
Team that finishes 3rd will have a case in the courts
scenario 3 QPR are found not guilty...
scenario 4 QPR are found guilty and fined ...all teams should feel aggrieved
scenario 5 QPR are found guilty and get a slap on the wrist points deduction and go up in second, all of football should feel agrieved at a contrived penalty
Scenario 6. Playoffs are suspended till a resolution is reached, which couldtake months depending how many times QPR appeal and to whom
Scenario 7 QPR drop back to mid table. Team 3 are promoted, Team 7 move into the playoffs. If QPR win their appeal, team 3 will again suffer the most
Personally I think scenario 3 is most likely, scenario 4 second favorite, I'd say scenario 2 is unworkable, and scenario 1 the least risk option 'cause if team 3 get to the the playoff final only team 7 could have any kind of case
While scenario 3 sounds the cleanest it would set precedent that would hang with the FA forever and destroy whatever credibility they have left if any.
I still think the best action for the FA if QPR are guilty which is almost certain based upon the charges & especially the fact the FL referred the case to the FA, is for the FA to offer QPR two options:
Option1: A mid table penalty take your medicine and grin & bear it with no further repercussions but only if they agree not to appeal or contest in the courts otherwise
Option2: Two division or even expulsion from FL and take your chances on appeal or in the courts the best they would do is get the sentence reduced to a single demotion, also the FA may float the concept of banning from football the player, agent, QPR chairman & owners for further leverage it's not that Briatore hasn't been thrown out of another sport for cheating is it.
