UEFA claim they are not trying to punish clubs and for once I believe them and even stranger I actually agree with what they are proposing. Now this might sound strange coming from a Manchester United fan, who are basically in the largest amount of debt of any club in Europe. I think all football fans can agree on, something else that doesn't happen very often, is that no one wants to see clubs go to the wall. No one wants to see fans suffer in the way Portsmouth have this season either.

The problem with this regulation as I see it, it will only affect the top percentage of any league because those not going to get into Europe wont receive a penalty. Let me add I don't know what the best solution is I'm just adding my thoughts. I don't agree with some of the points penalties which have been handed out, fine 10 points if you go into administration but handing out 17 points as happened to Rotherham and Bournemouth and 30 to Luton is excessive.

The 30 points Luton had taken away consigned them to a season of relegation certainty before a ball had been kicked, it would have been better for them to have just been automatically relegated a division so they could straight away have a shot of getting back up rather than having a season where they cannot achieve anything apart from fighting valiantly and there are fans of all clubs who are fickle and wouldn't turn up each week when relegation is certain.

This is not what clubs need they need to be helped and guided through troubles and don't punish clubs because of something the previous owners did. Anyway the UEFA ruling if applied consistently, and I'm talking about Real Madrid who have massive debts but conveniently never get mentioned by Platini when its always English clubs which are highlighted, will be a good thing and I was impressed clubs can put extra money into grounds and youth development without it counting against them which will help them compete further down the line.

I await to see how this rule is applied with baited breath……

Steve Jarvis