Blatter reveals punishment plan

FIFA president Sepp Blatter today spelled out plans to punish clubs who go into administration.

Leeds warned this week they are close to sliding into administration while financial problems have afflicted clubs across Europe in recent months.

Blatter has responded by revealing world football’s governing body are considering points deductions or relegation as a punishment.

Speaking at the Soccerex conference in Dubai, Blatter said: “It is not only a question of recommendation, we have the power to make this a binding regulation.

“We have disciplinary regulations and a range of sanctions, from taking points away to suspension.”

Blatter used the example of Kaiserslautern, who started the German season with a three-point deduction due to financial troubles, while Switzerland’s oldest club Lausanne Sports have been reduced to playing amateur football.

Blatter also hinted he would ask UEFA to consider banning financially-troubled clubs from European competition until their problems are sorted out.

“We will be asking UEFA to look at teams who enter their competitions as well,” he said.

Blatter took the opportunity to attack the England squad for their protests over Rio Ferdinand’s Football Association charge.

The Manchester United defender missed a drug test and was excluded from the England squad to face Turkey last month, prompting his colleagues to contemplate strike action.

“We had a situation where the players said if he doesn’t play, we don’t play,” said Blatter. “Where are we going if we don’t respect that. Where is the minimum of respect for the national association? Such matters bring the game into disrepute.”