Is This Right?

By Scott Cooper
March 10 2003

Leicester City, like many clubs at this current time are in dire financial straights. However, Leicester City`s Walkers Stadium has been given permission to host an England Fixture. This will obviously prove a huge boost financially to Leicester whilst other clubs are forced to raise revenue by selling players, thus having an adverse effect on League positions.

Is this right?

"Sirs

I would like to express my disgust at the recent award of an England International fixture to Leicester City Football Club.

Whilst there can be no denying the Walkers Stadium is an excellent venue, the financial dealings of the business leave much to be desired. It is my opinion that Leicester have used a loophole in the law to further their interests. They appointed administrators because of their difficult financial position, yet come out of it with the same playing squad, improved finances and the implied approval of the FA.

I understand that moves are afoot to discourage this approach in the future as legitimate businesses and other creditors find themselves hamstrung, whilst the football club move on to bigger and better things. I am sure the builders of the Walkers stadium will be delighted that their creation is held in such high esteem, but less delirious that they have lost out to the tune of some £5m because of the actions of the football club. They, I am sure, will point at the examples of Bradford, Derby and Nottingham Forest, amongst others, as clubs who attempted to resolve financial issues by genuine means - sales of players foremost - which were detrimental to the operation of the club, but ensured their survival. Leicester seem to have circumvented this and are, in my opinion, operating with a serious and misappropriated advantage.

Please do not misunderstand me, I am pleased that LCFC continue to ply their trade. I would not want to see any club go out of business. However, I feel that the Premiership next season will be played with a tarnished reputation should LCFC achieve promotion. Lesser clubs than Leicester have been relegated for financial inconsistencies, yet the FA are seen to be promoting football at the expense of other industries.

The award of the international fixture can only serve to confirm this view and legitimise the actions of the club. It may be legal, but is it morally right?

Regards"

Wolvesfc.co.uk agree with the above text and will be supporting the campaign. YOU can also support the campaign, simply copy and paste the letter and send to the FA at: The Football Association 25 Soho Square London W1D 4FA or email: yourviews@thefa.com

 Note: Sending the letter by post may be the better option as (due to past experiences) the FA are known not to reply to all Emails.