The Kraken

You can’t tell from the video if it touches the hand. If it does, it doesn’t affect the trajectory of the ball and the defender heads it clear a microsecond afterwards. Tge ref is either paid off or just incompetent.

Absolutely disgraceful VAR decision to give that penalty.

This is where I’m at, realistically. A big fine, potentially a suspension of staff members directly responsible, and a small points deduction. As you say, the Leicester punishment is some form of benchmark for punishment that gets handed down. I’ve said it before but need to remind myself given the continual rot that comes out of NE based journos. We finished the regular season 9 points above 7th place, getting us in the playoffs. 10 points really because of goal difference. To throw us out of the playoffs, which Boro keep suggesting they want, means a ten point deduction. The EFL surely can’t just throw us out as they need to set a precedent for any future transgressions from other clubs who may or may not be in playoff contention. So a points deduction is the way to do that, and it has to be proportionate.

Thats true, but I just can’t see a realistic scenario where he’s done this off his own back. Even if that’s the line the club end up going with. I know it’s in the club’s interest to stretch this out as long as possible, but it would be quite nice to just have it wrapped up so we know where we stand.

‘Throw us out of the playoffs’ is a very woolly definition of what the EFL will be able to do. If we’re guilty, they have to set a precedent for any future misdemeanours by other clubs. So it’s either a fine at the lower end of the scale, or a points deduction at the higher end. The situation of us being in the playoffs makes it very complicated but they can’t just say ‘you’re eliminated from the playoffs’ surely, as that is no sort of precedent. If it’s a points deduction then that can only really happen from next season / the next time we start in the championship. We finished comfortably in the playoffs, 9 points clear of 7th place with a massive goal difference advantage. So, to knock us out of this seasons playoffs, they would have to apply a 10 point deduction, and have that as the precedent for whatever were found guilty of. I really wouldn’t fancy being in the EFL’s shoes. And without knowing just how deep spygate went up the chain for us, it’s ridiculously difficult to speculate. It’s been said various times, we absolutely need to consider what middle ground there is between a fine and a points deduction, such as individual suspensions and the like. But that simply can’t be done until all facts are laid bare. I can only imagine any punishment we get will not be retrospective and will apply to future Championship seasons. Unless it’s a fine and a slap on the wrists if the facts deem it so.

Gibbo will sort it out.

Is he? I’ve always found Starmer to be something of a wooden speaker. Relies heavily on his notes, certainly doesn’t have anywhere near the speed of thought and gravitas of Blair or Cameron. With Boris Johnson, what Starmer excelled at was baiting the hook and letting Johnson’s lies unravel. But an inspiring public speaker? Not for me.

The club have asked for more time to conduct an internal review. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx21kpmdj97o

Do they? what have the rules of the football league set out about what we did? Apart from that it’s against the rules.

Leeds weren’t ‘found guilty’ of anything. At the time they got caught of their spying, there wasn’t an official rule in the football league that actually forbade it. After that the football league introduced that rule. so, Leeds were caught being a bit sly. Then a rule was enforced. Then, it seems, we broke that rule. That is why Leeds aren’t a precedent.

If there’s one thing the Labour Party is really good at, it’s internal division.

Labour ones, obvs.

The move is on. 57 MPs and counting have called for Starmer to resign.

Excellent. Ant going for the “she was wearing a short skirt so she was obviously asking for it” defence