Point of order: I'm not sure it's correct to say that points deductions 'hurt fans' any more than players getting red cards hurt fans. What we mean, I think, is that clubs shouldn'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'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'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's all that's left to the Big 6 owners is arguing that, since it didn't actually come to fruition, there was no harm done. The lawyers will argue about whether it'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' PR people now pushing the line that 'you can't punish the fans' are the same who, one, have just completely disregarded their fans' 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'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.

PS: Could be wrong about all of the above, but I was just troubled that 'don't punish the fans' is obviously a self-serving argument and, in the absence of the ability to eject owners, possibly not even a meaningful one.