QPR point penalty looks increasingly likely
As recently as last Thursday, QPR were priced at [1.07] to win the Championship - and that before their title triumph was mathematically confirmed - but claims that a 15-point deduction is on the cards have grown louder and louder to such an extent that they are now [1.78] to finish first.
Norwich can't do anything on the pitch to catch them as that they trail by five points with one game left, however the prospect of a harsh punishment for the alleged third-party ownership of midfielder Alejandro Faurlin is judged plausible enough for the Canaries to be [2.22] to be crowned champions.
Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers revealed on Monday that his club and others in the play-off picture have been warned that the end-of-season lottery could be delayed by a week in the event of a QPR appeal against the findings of the hearing that started on Tuesday, with a verdict expected on Friday.
That such preparations have been made and promotion rivals have been briefed would appear fairly ominous for the Hoops as it indicates that there are senior figures at the FA that consider a severe point penalty a genuine possibility.
Another scenario that has been suggested is that Neil Warnock's team could be docked a number of points that would see them miss out on top spot but still land second place, the idea being that such action would avoid a summer of legal wrangling yet damage them by depriving them of a trophy.
That perhaps explains why the west Londoners remain widely fancied to one way or another seal promotion at [1.28], despite being [1.78] to wind up first. Former FA chief executive Mark Palios has predicted that they will be dealt with strongly, anticipating that their 88-point tally will be slashed.
How should QPR's alleged rule breaches be dealt with? Have your say below...
Published: 3 May 2011
Stuart (May 3, 2011 2:36 PM) said:
The players have done nothing wrong, the best team over the season finish top and that is where QPR are and righly so.
If the directors of the club have done something wrong then they should be punished financially not by docking points, this would be very unfair on the manager, players and fans alike.
steven (May 3, 2011 7:43 PM) said:
Mark palios has not got a clue when was the player in question ineligible to play answer never if he don't no what he's talking about he should shut up and crawl back under what ever rock he crawled out of