Unfair on small teams

[Bob's Orange]

St Mirren were today fined £25,000 for not fielding 2 under 21 players in their squad for the match against Spartans in the cup. I was listening to Manager Gus McPherson on the radio and he held his hands up to a genuine mistake (he named an U21 goalkeeper on the bench as well as another U21 outfield player but the rules had recently been changed and state it had to be 2 outfield players).

Seemingly this means that St Mirren will have to release 1 of their players as their average wage is 25k. Now, last season Livingston deliberately registered Hassan Kachloul illegally and were fined 15k.

This got my goat up thinking back down the years, why do FA's always seem to punish the smaller teams so much? (Our demotion of 2 leagues is a good case in point)

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

who?

[Spud]

Because all the SFA cares about are the bigger sides like Hibs,Rangers & Celtic.  

[Iffy's Onion Bhaji]

and the funny thing is who really cares about the SFA (apart from ed red of course)

[Bob's Orange]

and the funny thing is who really cares about the SFA (apart from ed red of course)

My point wasn't about the SFA, the Welsh FA, the FAI or the FA. It was about the unfair punishment applied to 'smaller teams'.

[Bob's Orange]

Because all the SFA cares about are the bigger sides like Hibs,Rangers & Celtic.  

The peg sellers a big team?  

(Good catch!!)

[Reg Smeeton]

Quite simply....its the bullying mentality of small time administrators.

  Like SBC will regally shaft STFC, because they can, but roll over as soon as a big beast crests the horizon.

[flammableBen]

It's much easier for football asociations(sp?) to fine smaller clubs; small clubs are less likely to be able to afford a costly legal challenge / appeal (or whatever), there is less likely to be a media backlash and it may be a case of not biting the hand which feeds you, most of an FA's funds will come directly or indirectly through the bigger clubs.

[pauld]

Surely all the teams in the SPL are small teams by definition ... playing in a no-mark league  

[Bob's Orange]

Surely all the teams in the SPL are small teams by definition ... playing in a no-mark league  

St Mirren aren't in the SPL!

[janaage]

Because all the SFA cares about are the bigger sides like Hibs,Rangers & Celtic.  

The peg sellers a big team?  

(Good catch!!)

Even I was shocked to see Hibs' name mentioned alongside those two.  Bloody hell, Hibs a big team eh?  Superb.

You're just jealous of Hibs' stature, you gorgie bastard!

[reeves4england]

I don't understand it either. Clubs with lots of money get off lightly in comparison.

Swindon I think is probably the best example.