And this time it's just about as unbeleavable as it could get.

 

Thurrock FC have been deducted 3 points, and subsequently have been relegated from the Ryman Premier league to the Ryman league Division 1 because one of their players failed to pay a £16 fine from a Sunday League match that took place in 2011!

 

Absolutely ridiculous. For a club like Thurrock this could be an absolute disaster, its absolutely shambolic on the FA and Ryman league's part.

 

But I bet you wont find any coverage of this on any sports news channel. After all, football dosen't exist below the premiership to them does it?

I find it unbelievable and extremely harsh.

The punishment should have been an hefty fine, which for a non league player shouldn't really be much higher than £16. I don't think a team should suffer like this, especially considering due to one player. The FA/League have punished a team sport, placed a club in a dangerous situation because it's hard for non league teams. More consideration should have been taken!

That is harsh!

You would have thought relegation might have been considered, if more money was at stake. £16, is that all? 

yep, just £16. Surely it's the individual player who shoul be punished though? I wouldnt have thought it was the responsibility of the club.

 

But £16 whats that? About 2 and a half hours work on minimim wage?

Beyond belief.

Did Thurrock F.C. have the option of paying the players fine? As Weymouth says, surely it is the responsibility of the player not the club..If the player concerned couldn't or wouldn't pay up,  why is the club (and its supporters) being punished.

Did Thurrock F.C. have the option of paying the players fine? As Weymouth says, surely it is the responsibility of the player not the club..If the player concerned couldn't or wouldn't pay up,  why is the club (and its supporters) being punished.

Football's becoming about penalizing clubs and punishing fans, if you haven't already, give Weymouth's blog a read (it's a great read).

I hope the club fight it, they should seek legal action.

In my opinion, football needs to wake up and take note. The fair play rules for example will be broken, yet what will happen to these higher placed sides? nothing, in the worst case a fine but will be payable fairly easily. Whoever sanctioned the ruling, well they might need to answer to someone. I really hope this is the case because I would.

I think Thurrock are appealing it, and so they should. When the club who could stay up at their expense say it's a shambles you know somethings up

I hope Thurrock  win their appeal and common sense prevails. It's time the powers that be got their act together (and not just in football) and started dishing out appropriate punishments.