Soccer: Chesterfield face points penalty

The Football League disciplinary panel have recommended Chesterfield should be deducted nine points and £20,000 following their three-day inquiry into illegal payments.

The inquiry dealt with 90 separate allegations against the club and its former chairman Darren Brown.

While most were found not proven, the tribunal did find that there had been a breach of regulations concerning the transfer of Luke Beckett and the under reporting of gate receipts.

The punishment, if approved, would drop the Spireites into third spot in Division Three, still in an automatic promotion place.

There were fears a 50-point deduction would be imposed, meaning they faced relegation to the Nationwide Conference.

However, although they will no longer gain automatic promotion with a win against Kidderminster on Saturday, they still have a chance of going up as they would be five points ahead of fourth-placed Hartlepool with a game in hand.

A number of charges against the club were unproven, although within 14 days they must report to the Football League and Football Association for 'assistance and advice about installing procedures for a proper system for accounting and to meet the costs incurred'.

A deputation from Chesterfield left Hillsborough before inquiry chairman Gordon McKeag delivered his verdict.

"A transfer tribunal should be reconvened and that the determination of a transfer fee or compensation payment to Chester City and Barnsley - over the Beckett move - should be reviewed by the Football Association tribunal," added McKeag.

The club have also been warned as to their future conduct.