Very harsh

Chris_from_Sidcup

Was just reading about a Conference game between Hayes and Gateshead. Apparently one of the Gateshead players suffered a serious leg break and after treatment lasting about 40 minutes, he had to be air-lifted to hospital. Understandably after such a delay and the injury to their player, the Gateshead players weren't too keen to carry on. 75 mins had gone and it was 0-0 and apparently it was agreed by both chairmen that the 0-0 would stand.
So now the FA have charged Gateshead with not fulfilling a fixture and have awarded the 3 points to Hayes and Yeading. Ridiculous!

BlackForestReds

So now the FA have charged Gateshead with not fulfilling a fixture and have awarded the 3 points to Hayes and Yeading. Ridiculous!

........

Given the circumstances the result should have stood, but I would guess that the FA don't want to set a precedent, if later in the season the same thing happens and it suits one of the clubs (or both) to settle on a 0-0 draw rather than complete the match what do you do?

Chizz

Chairmen cannot bi-laterally choose the result of a game their teams are playing in. At best they could agree - with the match officials - that the game be called off and abandoned to be re-played later.

Steve Dowman

I think you meant to say chairmen can't choose the result, unless you know something you would like to share with us?

Barn Door Varney

Couldn't the FA have simply ordered a replay?

Exiled_Addick

[cite]Posted By: Barn Door Varney[/cite]Couldn't the FA have simply ordered a replay?

This would have been the fairer conclusion. Agree you can't have chairmen just deciding to end a game, but to charge Gateshead seems unnecessarily draconian (sp?), but then we know how the FA like to pick on smaller sides with massive punishments that never get given out higher up the leagues.

Chizz

[cite]Posted By: Steve Dowman[/cite]I think you meant to say chairmen can't choose the result, unless you know something you would like to share with us?

Oops! Edited!

Chizz

[cite]Posted By: Exiled_Addick[/cite]

[cite]Posted By: Barn Door Varney[/cite]Couldn't the FA have simply ordered a replay?

This would have been the fairer conclusion. Agree you can't have chairmen just deciding to end a game, but to charge Gateshead seems unnecessarily draconian (sp?), but then we know how the FA like to pick on smaller sides with massive punishments that never get given out higher up the leagues.

You make a really good point, but there is at least one precedent higher up. In 1998 Middlesbrough were docked three points for failing to fulfil a fixture. In the end, this helped send them down from the Premier League (costing much more than the £50k fine they were also hit with).