Crisis deepens on Leeside as City deducted 10 points by FAI

CORK CITY were last night plunged into further crisis as the cash-crippled club were deducted 10 points by the FAI.

A meeting of the FAI’s Independent Club Licensing committee was convened last night and they deducted 10 points from the club.

An FAI statement said: “Following Arkaga’s regrettable decision to renege on its written undertaking to guarantee all liabilities arising at Cork City Investment FC Ltd until January 2009, the club entered into examinership on August 18. The FAI has already expressed its displeasure at Arkaga’s actions which have placed the club in the difficult position it finds itself.

“The FAI met with the Examiner appointed to Cork City Investment FC Ltd. He expressed his desire for a quick decision from licensing regarding a sanction for Cork City as it would make it more desirable for the investors currently interested in the club to proceed with their intentions.

“A meeting of the Independent Club Licensing committee was convened and they deducted 10 points tonight from Cork City FC for being involved in an examinership process as per section 3.1.2 of the club licensing manual. This sanction is effective immediately.”

Cork now slip to fourth in the eircom League Premier Division on 35 points. The club could appeal the severity of the deduction.

The news comes in a week amid a series of lay-offs at the club while Cork’s players agreed to take a 70% pay cut as they fight crippling debts.

Cork face a tough trip to Shamrock Rovers in the eircom League tonight at Tolka Park (8pm, live on Setanta).

And manager Alan Mathews is sure that his players will not let the Rebel Army down. “It’s been a difficult week for all concerned at the club and we need to respond by doing our work on the pitch,” he said.

“The attitude of the players has been fantastic, not just in the last few weeks, but over the whole season. I know we will put in a hard-working and whole-hearted performance.”

Mathews’ counterpart at Rovers, Pat Scully, has expressed his support for opponents who find themselves in a situation not dissimilar to the one his own club experienced a few years ago.

“I’ve every sympathy for Cork City given the dire situation they’re facing,” he said. “I feel particularly sorry for the players and supporters. They’re the ones who suffer the most. But you have to question the way the club has been run since Arkaga took over.

“The FAI are often used as whipping boys, but they can’t run the clubs. We could have a really good league here if clubs went about their business properly and according to their means. Shamrock Rovers never get the credit they deserve for the way the club has been run since the fans took over three years ago. We’re developing good, young players and spend our money sensibly.”

City are without the suspended Danny Murphy while Rovers will be missing Stephen Rice (suspension) Eric McGill (knee) and Aidan Price whose shoulder injury, according to Scully, means that he is out for a minimum of six weeks and perhaps even for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, the FAI has rejected a suggestion by the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland that the transfer window be reopened to facilitate any want-away players at Cork.

A big crowd will be expected up at the Brandywell where, apart from the injured Ciarán Martyn, Derry City will be at full strength for the derby against Finn Harps. Harps are fighting to stay clear of the relegation zone and will be looking to overcome the disappointment of surrendering a two-goal lead to basement side Cobh Ramblers last time out. Stephen Parkhouse returns from suspension for the Donegal side but Gary Beckett and Cornelius Gallagher remain sidelined and Davy Byrne is a slight doubt.

Said Harps boss Paul Hegarty: “We’ve had a go at Derry when we’ve played them this season and have been unlucky in a couple of league games with them. Maybe this time we’ll get the bit of luck we don’t seem to get.”

UCD will be hoping to take advantage of any slip-up by Harps in their own bid to climb out of the bottom three. Currently just one point behind the men from Ballybofey, the Students travel to the Carlisle Grounds to take on a Bray Wanderers side who are looking to put some more distance between themselves and the drop zone.

“This is a massive game for us, a real six-pointer,” says Bray boss Eddie Gormley who has a number of injury worries, especially in central defence where Ray Kenny (suspended) and Kevin Doherty (dead leg) are out and Derek Foran will need a late fitness test on an ankle injury.

By contrast, UCD will be at full strength for a game which, like the north-west derby, kicks off at 7.45pm.