URGENT NEWS FOR LT CCC BETTORS

[ONEDUNME]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ty/6254677.stm

Blues face rap after postponement

Birmingham City could face a Football League charge after their game against Leeds on Saturday was postponed.

The Championship leaders were forced to call the game off after they deemed the St Andrews surface to be unplayable, having relaid the turf on Monday.

Birmingham have blamed torrential rain in the midlands for the situation.

Managing director Karren Brady said: "Nothing more could have been done in terms of manpower, machinery and equipment to get this game on."

She added: "Due to the club's extensive efforts since the freak rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday to get the game on in the face of adversity, all the areas of turf we've just laid will now have to be dug up and a new pitch laid."

Birmingham may face a charge of failing to fulfil a fixture and a disciplinary commission could hand out a fine or even impose a points deduction.

The game with struggling Leeds will now be rearranged and tickets purchased for Saturday's game will be valid for the rearranged fixture.

The St Andrews club were forced to take action over the state of their pitch after the FA Cup third round tie against Newcastle last weekend. The pitch cut up badly during the game and on-loan striker Nicklas Bendtner was stretchered off with a sprained ankle after catching his studs in a divot.

[Swooperman]

Now this is interesting My first reaction when I heard this was that Blues were in the crap & they'll get points deducted.....& tbh although I've been out earlier & I'm told its been on local radio that points wont be deducted, I've seen nothing to confirm that anywhere, & I havent changed my mind.

Ignore the fact I'm Villa, which means I'm not the best person for it to come from, but I see strong similarites with the Boro affair of a few years back. Yes, Boro had a flu outbreak or something but they lost 3 (?) points as they were deemed wrong to call it off as they could have played youth players, but the punishment was deemed a deterrent as otherwise what is their to stop somebody doing the same again. To my mind the same applies here. What if this was a top of the table clash but the home team had their best 2 players suspended, & they had to somehow lay a new pitch which was screwed up........ The game would be rearranged about a month later & the suspensions served. Surely the League cant allow this to go unpunished as it could be used again ??

Maybe I'm wrong but I dont want to see Blues lose points, but I can see it coming

[bromsgrovegreen]

they deserve whatever they get,it could only happen at blues-muppets!!!
they didnt expect bad weather in january!!!!!
suppose sullivan will be looking for someone to be a scapegoat as he cant blame the fans for this one!

[ONEDUNME]

I'm hoping they get points deducted too boys but for a different reason to yourselves .

To be honest, if there aren't any moans coming out of the Leeds camp then I think they'll just get a fine and get away without a points deduction as it looks like the only people who are losing out are the two teams with another fixture to fit in before the end of the season, no doubt midweek which in itself will cost Brum some attendence money anyway.

They are blaming "freak weather conditions" but if everyone else manages to get through the season with a playable pitch then you can't get away from the fact that it's a major fuck up on their part.

[rcgills]

Originally Posted by ONEDUNME

... it looks like the only people who are losing out are the two teams with another fixture to fit in before the end of the season...

What about all the fans that've already booked train tickets in advance, don't think they can get them refunded can they?

[Swooperman]

I dont think the fact that it 'only' affects the 2 teams is the point. I think its the making a point that it cant be used as an excuse in the future & a deterrent to that point. I dont think a fine will suffice as a deterrent. I hope it doesnt happen , as if Blues miss out because of a deduction they'll be unbearable

[ONEDUNME]

Originally Posted by rcgills

What about all the fans that've already booked train tickets in advance, don't think they can get them refunded can they?

Sorry RC, what I meant was in terms of the CC league competition that the club weren't gaining any advantage (unless they have injuries that we aren't aware of). In the case of Boro they obviously would have been at a disadvantage with most of their team missing and sought to gain an advantage by unilaterally calling off the game which is slightly different.

I can see Swoop's precident argument which is why I think there'll be a big fine and a warning that the next team that do it will be deducted points. I honestly don't think Brum will be though.

We'll see.