Fenty Blasts PFA

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 01/04/2009

TOWN chairman John Fenty has criticised the Players' Union the PFA following their decision to pay the wages of players at Grimsby's League Two rivals. Mr Fenty believes that the PFA is propping up clubs who would otherwise be forced into administration, thus incurring a penalty.

The Town chairman told the Grimsby Telegraph: "I don't know if the PFA has loaned the money to clubs or the players directly, but one thing for sure is that it is meddling in football in ways that could have a profound effect on the game.

"I have brought this to the attention of senior officers within the Football League and they are looking into the matter.

"And we will be expecting to see that clubs, particularly those that are insolvent, have the funds repaid to the PFA immediately from the next Football League distribution which is due shortly.

"While the PFA have not broken rules, on the face of it, these actions are questionable and could result in a legal challenge from non-football creditors or others.

"They only do this knowing that they are preferential creditors within the Football League rules and that their money is protected - as a protected football creditor."

The Town chairman believes more punitive measures should be taken against those clubs who routinely go into administration, timing their decisions to minimise the chances of getting relegated. Grimsby in contrast have never gone into administration and are still paying back debts incurred before the collapse of ITV Digital seven years ago.

Fenty said: "Current sanctions are not working and do not offer an appropriate deterrent. There needs to be additional rule changes to deal with this problem.

"Bigger sanctions are required for those who risk all and effectively spend money they have not secured."

Grim Rob Says: The PFA are protecting their members which is what they exist for, they do not exist for the benefit of football clubs. However there is obviously a huge problem with keeping teams in business and there is a real prospect it seems of some names disappearing altogether. If clubs are manipulating the rules for their own benefit then they should not be allowed to, but if teams are genuinely struggling to stay afloat they should be supported. Grimsby will have to get out of the mess they are in via football, something they have made big steps towards in the last two weeks.

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