Blackpool deducted ten points

[King Viking]

I know and agree with what you say they would never hit a SL team with 6pts unless it was say one of the clubs they want to get rid of then they might.

I think also the rule was not there (re: penalties / points deductions) ala the Hull and CC debacle, and CC and illegal players farce so the RFL said. So they came up with the feeble 2pts penalties. Then introduced the 3 wins rule after the SL teams got themselves in order. 

Wasn't there some rubbish as well for St's saying they only breached it because some clauses in their players contracts gave players bonuses becuase they played for GB or England or something so we can't really blame them. What a load of rubbish this was too, St's know what contract they give out and know how many internationals are planned for each year. It's not hard to think right we have X number of players with this clause 3 internationals if all were to be picked it would cost us this amount. Lets say £30,000, then make sure as a club that all other contracts offered leaves £30,000 on the salary cap just in case your players are picked. Lets face it they have been at the top of the British game for several years and have a good selection of the top players in the game, so logically they would be players being looked at for selection?

The RFL poo their pants anytime a SL club breaks or breaches any of the rules because they don't want to upset them especially the higher profile clubs. These clubs hold sway (because they have 2 votes each) as a group over the RFL and I guess if they annoyed these clubs too much they could use their votes as a group to get rid of them. 

No they didn't, that was exactly the point.

The RFL arranged a mid-season international with New Zealand or France or whoever it was that year after the season has started. The extra match meant an extra bonus for their international players, which took them over the cap, hardly their fault.

[rayvon]

That would be reading too much into the RFL Discpinlary Process

Hull - merger / takeover of Gateshead & let off
Saints 2 points
Bradford 2 points
Wigan 2 points
London - Let Off
Celtic - Let Off
Doncaster - 9 Points
Keighley - 9 Points
Widnes - 9 Points
Gateshead - Relegation and 6 points
Is that all and correct have Swinton had points deducted as well.

I never really understood the London case - They were signing players with money they didn't have , outside of the Salary Cap , went bust but had the same major backer before and after.

A bit of transparency would be good.

Dont forget the £1million the RFL also gave to Hull, who I think were in the relegation spot that year too? 

[neilw]

No they didn't, that was exactly the point.

The RFL arranged a mid-season international with New Zealand or France or whoever it was that year after the season has started. The extra match meant an extra bonus for their international players, which took them over the cap, hardly their fault.

OK KV, I stand corrected didn't realise that was the case. Thought all international games were planned well in advance was not aware of the short notice for that game. Will reluctantly let them off with that one.  

[King Viking]

They were deducted points back in 2003, only two mind. As were Halifax and Hull. Since the live salary cap was put in place, club's obviously have a lot more to lose (whereas Wigan didn't have anything to lose in 2006 when they got Fielden)

[vikinggriff]

You are right but no Super League Club has ever had 6 points deducted despite Wigan, Saints, Bradford, London, Celtic being caught bang to rights and I have no confidence that the RFL would take such a penalty agaisnt a major Super League Club. Also Wigan knowlingly broke the rules to aid a fight against Relagation and now their is no relagation.

no they didn't, they asked several of there players to renegotiate there contracts to keep them under the salary cap. the fact wigan in the next season where allowed to adjust there salary cap to take account of these new contracts showed the RFL where on very dodgy ground. so much so that had wigan really pushed it then the salary cap would no longer exist at all.

[King Viking]

Wigan were deducted four points the following season.

[vikinggriff]

Wigan were deducted four points the following season.

i know, that was the year cas kicked up the fuss about it all, if you check back however they where done for breaking "the spirit of the cap". which everyone knew was a nonsence, after all you can't put a rule in place that restricts a players right to take a pay cut if he wants to, the rfl would have been laughed out of court, and would have had to pays wigans legal fees into the bargin.

[King Viking]

i know, that was the year cas kicked up the fuss about it all, if you check back however they where done for breaking "the spirit of the cap". which everyone knew was a nonsence, after all you can't put a rule in place that restricts a players right to take a pay cut if he wants to, the rfl would have been laughed out of court, and would have had to pays wigans legal fees into the bargin.

They were done because they went over the cap by about £220,000.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6896583.stm

[vikinggriff]

The club's argument was based on the fact that nine of their players agreed to defer wages for last September, October and November in returned for improved contracts in 2007.

However, the panel said that was against the spirit of the salary cap

"We were disappointed with the written judgement because it didn't address the issues put forward by the club's solicitors," said Lindsay.

"We believe we have won our point of principle and we have now received a credit for the 2007 and 2008 salary cap in respect of the re-negotiated player contracts.

"This is of no use to us this season as the deadline for signing players in 2007 has now passed but at least the issue has been conceded."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6955377.stm