Latics press for tougher penalty

ATHLETIC chiefs are pressing for a more stringent penalty for clubs entering administration during the Football League’s annual general meeting and summer conference, writes MATTHEW CHAMBERS.

A club party comprising managing director Simon Corney, chairman Simon Blitz and chief executive Alan Hardy are currently in Malta for a three-day event which ends tomorrow.

Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn has put forward a proposal that those clubs who go into administration should be punished by being relegated two divisions, as opposed to the more lenient current punishment of a 10-point deduction.

Last season, Southampton played out the full campaign in League One with such a deficit, only just missing out on a play-off place, while in the Championship Crystal Palace narrowly avoided the drop on the last day of the season after entering administration in the course of the season.

Athletic are keen for a stronger punishment than at present, but stop short of endorsing Hearn’s views.

“We agree the current sanctions are not strong enough but a two-division drop may be too draconian, though it will have to be discussed,” Hardy told the club website.

Other measures due to be looked at are a possible squad cap of 25 players for the season and mandatory coaching qualifications.