Comments on: How A Portsmouth-Less League Would Look

By: Magnakai Haaskivi

Magnakai Haaskivi — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:30:45 +0000

In theory, one could say that throwing cash into Portsmouth to keep them afloat would make the Sheikh some kind of minority partner which would run afoul of the “you can’t own two teams” rule. Assuming that there actually is a “you can’t own two teams” rule.

By: Mr. Federer

Mr. Federer — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 23:14:15 +0000

I don’t ‘think’ that’s illegal.

It’s definitely isn’t noble or just – however, consider that only Liverpool would have anything to gain – all the other top teams would ‘lose’ points.

By: Adam

Adam — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:39:22 +0000

I’d guess it would go all the way to the bottom of at least the Football League, either 1 less team relegated, or one more promoted.

By: Magnakai Haaskivi

Magnakai Haaskivi — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:24:24 +0000

How would they make up numbers in the Championship to get back up to 24, and how far down would it ripple?

By: Rexn

Rexn — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:26:53 +0000

If this helps:
Pos Team Pts GD
1 Chelsea 55 37
2 Manchester United 51 36
3 Arsenal 46 27
4 Liverpool 44 18
5 Tottenham Hotspur 40 17
6 Aston Villa 39 10
7 Manchester City 38 9
8 Birmingham City 34 -5
9 Everton 32 -4
10 Fulham 28 -4
11 Blackburn Rovers 28 -19
12 Stoke City 27 -7
13 Sunderland 24 -10
14 Wigan Athletic 24 -19
15 Wolverhampton Wndrs 24 -20
16 Burnley 23 -23
17 Hull City 23 -27
18 West Ham United 20 -11
19 Bolton Wanderers 19 -18

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:52:36 +0000

I’m sure this isn’t legal and feel kind of dirty for even suggesting it, but Sheikh Mansour was willing to pay 10 million pounds for the ancient Patrick Vieira. Who’s to say he wouldn’t pony up 11.5 million to Portsmouth behind the scenes if it means City get a better shot at a top 4 spot?

By: preciousroy

preciousroy — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:35:18 +0000

Pretty sure if Portsmouth is shut down and it becomes a 19 team league, then only 2 teams get relegated (90-1-2=17). Worth mentioning.

By: James T

James T — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:23:14 +0000

See, I was thinking about this too. Would be sweet for LFC to see their gap from those above cut by 3 points.

That said, I’m still skeptical that the FA will let one of their EPL clubs get sacrificed like this. Some deus ex machina will interrupt. It’s one thing for lower-league clubs to quietly disappear, but for an EPL club to sink like this in this day and age (yes, I know Leeds did it but that was years ago before the hyper-money we’re seeing thrown around now) would be a massive embarrassment to the league.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:46:19 +0000

Oh, I totally agree with you. Like I said, the procedure is right there in the bylaws.
That said, the Premier League would have an awful mess on their hands. If someone got a yellow against Pompey, and then got suspended due to yellow accumulation later in the year and missed a game that their club lost, lots of clubs would have a case. Even the sides that got knocked out of the FA Cup by Pompey could make the case that they lost out on revenue.

By: Magnakai Haaskivi

Magnakai Haaskivi — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:07:19 +0000

Perhaps; the irony of having “Jobsite” as the sponsor for a club about to go out of business could up the price, too.