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Dons boss blasts points deduction
4:29pm Wednesday 7th February 2007
Comments (11)Dejected AFC Wimbledon boss Dave Anderson has branded the 18-point deduction handed to the Dons for fielding an ineligible player as "a joke".
A Ryman League hearing today found the Dons guilty of fielding a player without the necessary international clearance for fielding.
The charges relates to Jermaine Darlington who played in 11 league games before gaining the clearance from the Welsh FA after Darlington left Cardiff City last year.
The points deduction, which is subject to an appeal, has seen the club drop from fourth to 13th in the table, leaving their promising season in shreds.
And Dons boss Anderson has spoken of his anger at today's decision.
"I have not had a chance to speak to the players yet and I will be doing that tomorrow, but they will undoubtedly be as upset as I am," he told the Wimbledon Guardian.
"But I come from Belfast and I learnt at an early age that when you're knocked over you get straight back onto your feet and don't let the people know that they've hurt you.
"But we are bitterly disappointment with the verdict and with the people on the committee - but they won't stop me being a football manager and won't stop this club being successful. I just hope that they see sense when they appeal."
The manager has also spoken of his anger at the FA's decision to throw his side out of the FA Trophy after fielding Darlington in the victory over Gravesend & Northfleet, a decision that has led to today's events.
"We are answerable to the FA all the time and I hope the time will come when they become answerable to us for some of the decision's they have made.
He joked: "What are they going to do next, take away my golf trophy from the summer."
"Until the appeal is heard I believe we keep our points and what I have to do is focus on Saturday's game against Bromley and maintain our form."
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cheshirewomble, chester says...
11:00pm Wed 7 Feb 07
cheshirewomble, chester says...
11:04pm Wed 7 Feb 07
medibot, Brighton says...
6:25am Thu 8 Feb 07
Even if you didn't mean to break the law it's broken now and there's only one rule.
The deduction won't change on appeal, maybe the law will change but nothing else will.
Martin, Rayne Park says...
9:00am Thu 8 Feb 07
Herb, Herefordshire says...
11:27am Thu 8 Feb 07
Steve Clark, Worcester Park says...
1:42pm Fri 9 Feb 07
achievemnet.As someone who supports another side in the Ryman League, Ashford Town, it is great to play AFC, the fans are plentiful and friendly and is great that they have a such a large following at this level of football.
Compared to other clubs at this level, they have a lot more fans, a lot more money and a lot more administrative support. There can be no excuse for a club that will no doubt be in the Conference within the next few years, to have made such a fundamnetal mistake as fielding an ineligible player.
The only argument that their supporters can have is " Were the rules applied fairly?" Do all clubs have points deducted for fielding an ineligible player? If the answer is yes, then Wimbledon have no right to appeal, but if the answer is no, then the system is not fair.
Bryan Tungate, Norfolk says...
3:37pm Sun 11 Feb 07
SilverSurfer, Mitcham says...
9:40am Mon 12 Feb 07
medibot wrote:Does the penalty fit the crime?? Bit hazy, but for match fixing wasnt 10 points deducted from teams in italy?? Ooooooh. I dont remember this many points being deducted ever. For anything. Like to see that happen in the premiership! As if! Classic case of bullying.
I fought the law and the law won. Even if you didn't mean to break the law it's broken now and there's only one rule. The deduction won't change on appeal, maybe the law will change but nothing else will.
Paul Lowther, Berkshire says...
2:28pm Mon 12 Feb 07
Batterseadon, Battersea says...
6:56pm Tue 13 Feb 07
Angry Anderson: Dons boss is fuming
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Jr, London says...
4:48pm Wed 7 Feb 07