Read on Twitter
Point of order: I& #39;m not sure it& #39;s correct to say that points deductions & #39;hurt fans& #39; any more than players getting red cards hurt fans. What we mean, I think, is that clubs shouldn& #39;t have punishments affecting their on-field activities for off-field actions. But...
Given that on-field performance is inextricably linked to off-field performance, I& #39;m not sure there is a meaningful distinction. For example, a club that goes bust and gets a deduction has usually been spending on players it can& #39;t afford, which is in itself a form of cheating.
The same goes for FFP violations. Wigan might be the only example that springs to mind where the off-field actions that led to a points deductions might not have any link to producing an on-field advantage.
The question with Super League plotters is whether signing up for a new competition designed to generate new income streams denied to other clubs while also reducing the value of existing income streams in which others shared provides an on-field advantage. Obviously it would.
Which means, I think, that& #39;s all that& #39;s left to the Big 6 owners is arguing that, since it didn& #39;t actually come to fruition, there was no harm done. The lawyers will argue about whether it& #39;s a technical breach of PL rules - whether the agreement was a contract.
But most sensible people are comfortable with the idea of punishing people for intent/conspiracy to break the law.
Beyond that, the Big 6 owners& #39; PR people now pushing the line that & #39;you can& #39;t punish the fans& #39; are the same who, one, have just completely disregarded their fans& #39; best interests and, two, have never spoken up for previous clubs facing deductions.
If not punishing the fans is now such a key principle, then the logical conclusion is the Big 6 owners want the punishment to fall only on them. And, in a case this serious, there& #39;s only one punishment that could meaningful impact them: having to sell their club.
So, Big 6 owners: sell up or accept that, as happened with dozens of other clubs, your fans are going to suffer for your shitty behaviour.
