I have no idea as to whether this story is true or not. Speculation and rumour.DeePeeNCAFC wrote:There's a remarkable allegation knocking about which suggests that the latest owners of Wigan have DELIBERATELY jeopardised the club, setting out to get points deducted so as to win a hefty bet placed in the Far East months ago which was a bet on Wigan getting relegated.
So, a bet was placed on them going down, they were down towards the bottom of the table but then hit a good run of form and started to climb the table and away from trouble. New owner (who might have placed the bet before taking over) sells up to 'someone' who can't be contacted, traced and might not exist. The funds to keep the club afloat and pay the bills stop coming in, club calls into administrators and Wigan are docked 12 points putting them back in the relegation mire. Presumably if players' wages don't get paid then they could refuse to play = further defeats = likely relegation = bet pays out.
If true, this is outrageous - how anyone can do something like this to an historic community club all in the name of a bet? There's also a short video clip circulating of league chief Rick Parry mentioning the alleged bet so things get murkier.
What I will say is this. I have never really understood as to why when a club goes in to administration, they are eventually docked points. Seems like a double whammy to me. I can understand the logic of the efl saying to a club that if you don’t get your financial house in order we will dock you points. I suppose they have to draw a line somewhere, but where should that line be drawn. Still a double whammy but it is a threat of action if you don’t run a sound club.
The problem arises as to when the points deduction is applied. Is it immediately after they enter administration. Is it one month, two months or even after the next efl meeting. I don’t know, I have no idea but it is open to abuse by smarter people than me, particularly those with large sums of cash.
If someone has information about efl rules as to when this points deduction should be applied I would like to know.