Suppose Brighton were deducted points?

Ed Thompson has come up with a new analysis of the financial fair play (now ‘profitability and sustainability’) rules in the Championship as his original one contained a mistake, not surprising given the complexity of the rules and the uncertainty of their application.

Consider this hypothetical scenario.   It has been known for some time that Brighton and Hove Albion have been close to breaching the rules, although how close is difficult to assess on the available data.

Ed Thompson has come up with a new analysis of the financial fair play (now ‘profitability and sustainability’) rules in the Championship as his original one contained a mistake, not surprising given the complexity of the rules and the uncertainty of their application.

Consider this hypothetical scenario.   It has been known for some time that Brighton and Hove Albion have been close to breaching the rules, although how close is difficult to assess on the available data.

The Football League can impose draconian punishments.  Suppose the Seagulls were found in breach of the rules in March/April and suffered a points deduction that affected their chances of promotion.  The club would want to appeal to the Court for Arbitration in Sport, but that might mean that the end of the season was reached with a lack of clarity about promotion.