PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
FA INQUIRY INTO THE CONFERENCE LEAGUE (21 July 2002)

That this House calls on the Chief Executive of the Football Association to explain the inadequate verdict of the three man FA hearing which allowed Boston United, Champions of the Nationwide Conference League, to retain their promoted place in the Football League after pleading guilty to six charges of contractual irregularities; notes that by breaking the rules of the game, Boston United will now make a considerable financial gain by playing Third Division football this coming season and that their fine of ú100,000 pales into insignificance compared to the ú500,000 which the club can expect to receive as a member of the Football League; further notes that the FA deducted four points off Boston for this season's Third Division campaign when the club broke the rules during last season's Conference matches and that if the hearing had deducted points from last season's totals then the Championship would have been awarded to Dagenham and Redbridge FC who would have been promoted; believes there to be growing concern within the game that this verdict has initiated a cheats charter which could tempt other clubs into breaking the rules for self gain and could therefore destroy public confidence in the way football conducts itself; and urges the Chief Executive, who made it clear from the day that he took office that he wished to clean up the game and would crack down hard on clubs that broke the rules, to explain the hearing's decision, which contravenes those sentiments and brings the sport into disrepute.

Sponsored by:
Jon Cruddas (Labour)