The Craziest League In The World

[jfogarty]

League facing meltdown as Shels fight their corner

 

Indo - 01.11.06

 

The FAI appeals board is today expected to rule on the controversial Jason McGuinness case, but the off-field drama that is overshadowing this season's eircom League will not end there - even if a verdict is reached on that matter.

 

That's because Shelbourne chief executive Ollie Byrne has written to both the League and the FAI to express his concern over the handling of two other matters earlier in the season.

 

They relate to Derry City defender Sean Hargan playing in a game when he was suspended and the decision to wipe Dublin City's games from the record after they folded mid-season.

 

Byrne is promising "serious ramifications" unless the cause for his ire is taken seriously on this occasion.

 

Put simply, any hope that the pronouncement on the McGuinness saga will bring closure to off the field shenanigans overshadowing the title race is way offside.

 

The McGuinness case relates to the Bohemians' defender playing while suspended in the Gypsies' 2-1 League win over Shelbourne back in August.

 

While Bohs claim they weren't aware that McGuinness was suspended, and blame the League for this fact, Shels appealed the decision to simply deduct three points from Bohs when UEFA precedents would suggest that, in such an instance, the opposition should be awarded a 3-0 victory.

 

And, even if Shels get the three points today, they will persist with their grievances relating to the other two affairs that were previously dealt with by the League.

 

While Byrne believes that Shels manager Pat Fenlon and his squad are "the best team in the League" that can finish the job on the pitch anyway, he has a Plan B ready just in case that Derry prove stronger in the league climax.

 

With just over two fixture-congested weeks to go, Shels lead by three points but their opponents have a game in hand.

 

Byrne's quibble is not quite with the way Derry have conducted their business; his argument is that the League acted beyond their remit in both instances.

 

Hargan most definitely played in a League game against Bray when he should have been banned after picking up four yellow cards.

 

However, with the League's board of control handling the issue of points deductions, Derry were allowed to present a case prior to any sanction being handed out and the Candystripes avoided penalty when they uncovered the fact that the FAI disciplinary commission had considered Hargan's case a week earlier than they should have.

 

Byrne insists that the League did not have authority to consider Derry's argument at that stage when it was clear that Hargan was definitely suspended. And the Shels supremo is resolute that Derry should have accepted a points deduction initially and then pursued the FAI appeals board avenue, where they could have pleaded their innocence.

 

The argument against the decision to expunge Dublin City's games from the record is based along similar lines. Byrne's grounds for questioning the final verdict - which was made by the eircom League's management committee - is that it wasn't their decision to make.

 

By erasing the deceased Vikings' games in this campaign, Derry gained three points on Shels as they lost one of their games against the ill fated club.

 

Confused? Join the club.

 

"This is not sour grapes," said Byrne in defence of his actions in taking the matter further. "All I ask is that the goalposts aren't moved and that the playing field remains the same for everybody."

 

While the Shelbourne chief's concerns are nothing new to the League - they discussed some of the issues at a board of control meeting last month after receiving an earlier letter - the powers-that-be are still bracing themselves for whatever course of action that Shelbourne choose to take.

 

It's hard to see a happy conclusion to this one no matter what happens from here.

 

 

Just Announced

 

FAI Appeal Board decision announced

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Date: Wednesday, 01 November 2006 Section: eircom League

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

This appeal was initially heard by the FAI Appeal Board on Wednesday, October 18. The meeting was then adjourned and reconvened on Tuesday, October 31.

 

The FAI Appeal Board, having consulted all the available documentation and heard oral evidence, made the following decision:

 

? Deduction of three points against Bohemian F.C. to stand.

 

? Match between Bohemian FC and Shelbourne FC to be replayed at the original venue.

 

? Match between Bohemian FC and Shelbourne FC to be replayed as a matter of urgency.

 

 

The reasons for the FAI Appeal Board decision were as follows:

 

? The deduction of points against Bohemians FC stands due to the ineligibility of the Bohemians FC player.

 

? The Eircom League Premier Division match between Bohemian FC and Shelbourne FC is to be replayed in the interests of Fair Play.

 

 

Following the Appeal Board decision the option of arbitration is available.

 

Bohemians are one of several clubs involved in playing ineligible players this season so surely all of these games will now have to be replayed in the interests of Fair Play. Also seen as Derry are likely to be the big losers here they have the option of arbitration. Todays decision took months to decide so I cant see the league winners being sorted this year.

 

I think its fair to say John Delaney is the antichrist

[lammyrider]

[Maldini]

Remember the Genesis report? Oh how they laughed.

[fyds]

But they killed Kirk's son, the heartless klingon b'stards!

[Extraordinary Swindle]

Replaying the game is a joke - St Pats never had to replay their games a few seasons back. Hopefully Ollie Byrne goes the legal route and takes the FAI to court, then UEFA will ban the League of Ireland teams from Europe next season and might even put the National team out of their misery.

[Coyler]

"Fair Play" my a***. Giving Shels a shot at an extra three points and depriving Derry of their game in hand?

 

What a f*cking farce, giving in to the bullying of that fat f*cking criminal.

 

Bohs aren't 'punished' by this at all, it's just a mechanism to provide 3 points for Shels and screw Derry.

 

Never mind the fact that the FAI explicitly told Bohs that McGuinness was cleared to play in the first place.

 

? Deduction of three points against Bohemian F.C. to stand.

 

? Match between Bohemian FC and Shelbourne FC to be replayed at the original venue.

 

? Match between Bohemian FC and Shelbourne FC to be replayed as a matter of urgency.

 

No. Wait till the Bohs squad named on the day are all back fit, thank you very much.

Edited November 2, 2006 by Coyler

[jimmylibel]

"Fair Play" my a***. Giving Shels a shot at an extra three points and depriving Derry of their game in hand?

 

What a f*cking farce, giving in to the bullying of that fat f*cking criminal.

 

Bohs aren't 'punished' by this at all, it's just a mechanism to provide 3 points for Shels and screw Derry.

 

Never mind the fact that the FAI explicitly told Bohs that McGuinness was cleared to play in the first place.

No. Wait till the Bohs squad named on the day are all back fit, thank you very much.

 

You looking forward to the great Bohs spending spree then Coyler?

[jfogarty]

Replaying the game is a joke - St Pats never had to replay their games a few seasons back. Hopefully Ollie Byrne goes the legal route and takes the FAI to court, then UEFA will ban the League of Ireland teams from Europe next season and might even put the National team out of their misery.

 

St.Pats took the brown envelope on offer by the League to shut up so I dont think we'll pursue it BUT the new Fair Play rule that has just been invented leaves the FAI open to such a claim

See that there is the problem, you have 2 governing bodies and 2 rulebooks. In the League rulebook a 3 point deduction was sufficent punishment for Bohs (and Rovers) which is set in stone. The FAI rulebook is more flexible. The League are meeting tomorrow and rumour has it they will go to Arbitration which means this is not going to be decided until the end of the month.

 

Then they wonder why its so hard to attract barstool Celtic,Liverpool,Man Utd supporters to local games

[Andy @ Allerton]

Most worthless league in the world surely?

 

All the Irish fans seem to support teams in the English or Scottish leagues..?

[Coyler]

All the Irish fans seem to support teams in the English or Scottish leagues..?

What, you mean the Irish fans on here? Have you applied any kind of logical filter to why that might be?

[Andy @ Allerton]

What, you mean the Irish fans on here? Have you applied any kind of logical filter to why that might be?

 

[Euphrates]

I've never been to a Monaghan Town game, and I'm certainly not to going to start supporting the Carrick Rovers. Been along to quite a few Derry games, hard not to have a soft spot for any team whose fans sing Teenage Kicks and make as much of a ruckus whenever they are.

[jimmylibel]

What, you mean the Irish fans on here? Have you applied any kind of logical filter to why that might be?

 

[jfogarty]

Media Statement

 

The eircom League Board of Control at its meeting today (November 4th) decided to refer to arbitration, as is provided for under FAI rules, the FAI Appeal Board?s decision in relation to the Bohemians v Shelbourne fixture.

 

There will be no further statement at this time.

 

ENDS

[jfogarty]

The League won so no replay will take place. Shelbourne havent commented yet but they expected to take further legal action.

Heres the table going into the final games on Friday

 

Shelbourne 29 17 8 4 58 26 32 59

Derry City 29 17 8 4 45 20 25 59

 

Shels vs Bohs

Derry vs Cork

[jfogarty]

The League won so no replay will take place. Shelbourne havent commented yet but they expected to take further legal action.

Heres the table going into the final games on Friday

 

Shelbourne 29 17 8 4 58 26 32 59

Derry City 29 17 8 4 45 20 25 59

 

Shels vs Bohs

Derry vs Cork

[Coyler]

That was great. Last-minute winner for Derry. Bring on the Shels. I would LOVE it if we beat them.

 

From foot.ie:

 

Any replay would surely have to be played tomorrow or Wednesday

 

Unless the arbitrator decides to double up on Friday's game between Shels and Bohs and make it an actual six-pointer

 

That's actually quite a good idea. Play the game for 4 quarters of 45 minutes each, with 2 sets of points awarded for a) halftime and b) full time.

 

If John Delaney's reading this -- that was a joke.

 

:lol:

[adiman]

I've never been to a Monaghan Town game, and I'm certainly not to going to start supporting the Carrick Rovers. Been along to quite a few Derry games, hard not to have a soft spot for any team whose fans sing Teenage Kicks and make as much of a ruckus whenever they are.

Why not?

[Euphrates]

Why not?

 

I grew up in NY, my parents moved back to Carrickmacross and I live in Dublin. I'm not making the trek to Monaghan on a regular basis to see some Lithuanian winger run around for a hopeless cause.

[adiman]

I grew up in NY, my parents moved back to Carrickmacross and I live in Dublin. I'm not making the trek to Monaghan on a regular basis to see some Lithuanian winger run around for a hopeless cause.

The Lithuanian winger is gone unfortunately. Dunno what hapoened to him. Monaghan's problem - apart from competition from junior soccer and GAA - is that it has never succeeded in establishing itself as a county club. I love to go when I'm home and there are more local players than ever playing but its a trek from Dublin every two weeks granted.

[Coyler]

Nice to see that the new league is keeping up the fine comedic traditions of its predecessor.

[Boca]

Nice to see that the new league is keeping up the fine comedic traditions of its predecessor.

 

 

"Note to self: Don't visit Waterford or Dundalk anytime soon" 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Why anyone would want to visit either is beside the point.

[Ronnie Whelan]

 

"Note to self: Don't visit Waterford or Dundalk anytime soon" 1

1 Why anyone would want to visit either is beside the point.

 

 

To wear a Galway United jersey and laugh at the locals?

Edited December 12, 2006 by Ronnie Whelan

[Boca]

To wear a Galway United jersey and laugh at the locals?

 

With Nick Leeson running the show up there, they are in good hands.

[Coyler]

:lol:

 

Attack on FAI headquarters in Dublin

 

 

Gardai are at the scene following a suspected arson attack on FAI

headquarters in Merrion Square in Dublin.

 

An eyewitness told ireland.com that a man had entered the building and

had doused himself in petrol and was threatening to set himself alight.

 

A banner has also been tied to the railings outside the headquarters

purporting to be from Dundalk Football Club supporters demanding answers

to the decision by the FAI on Monday night to promote Galway United FC

to the premier division in the club's place.

 

One side of Merrion Square has been sealed off and both gardai and the

fire services are at the scene.