Wrexham contest 10-point penalty
Taken from the BBC

09/12/04

Geraint ParryWREXHAM say they will appeal against the Football League's decision to dock them 10 league points.

The cash-strapped club was punished under the League's new rules after going into administration last Friday.

Fans and businessmen have pledged to cover the cost of the action, which could cost up to £20,000 in fees.

To win their appeal, Wrexham will need to argue their financial problems were cause by unavoidable or unforeseeable circumstances.

The loss of promised funds due to the collapse of the ITV Digital television contract will be the cornerstone of their argument, according club secretary Geraint Parry.

"The administrators feel we've got a good case so the appeal will go ahead," Parry told BBC Wales Sport.

"The money that was promised from ITV digital, a deal signed by the Football League themselves, influenced our budget at the time.

"We gave out contracts accordingly and signed a couple of players from abroad. But the money never came."

On informing the League of their decision to appeal, which must happen by Friday, Wrexham need to deposit £5,000 to cover costs.

In the first case of its kind, independent consultants would then carry out a review of the club's activities leading up to their move into administration.

Wrexham will have to pay that report regardless of the appeal's outcome.

After examining the facts, the League's Sporting Sanctions Appeal Panel can then:

* confirm the deduction of 10 points; or
* set aside the deduction of 10 points and substitute a deduction of such lower number of points as it shall deem appropriate; or
* order that there shall be no sanction at all

Wrexham went into administration to avoid the threat of liquidation over of a £900,000 tax bill.

The 10-point deduction has plunged Wrexham into the League One relegation zone with 26 games to go this season.