Southampton doomed as League docks 10 points

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON (Reuters) - Southampton were effectively relegated from the Championship (second division) on Thursday when the Football League docked the club 10 points for going into administration earlier this month.

The south coast team announced three weeks ago that their holding company, Southampton Leisure Holdings, had appointed administrators but said they did not expect to be deducted points as the football club was unaffected.

However, the league investigated before announcing on its website (www.football-league.co.uk) that officials considered the club and the holding company to be "inextricably linked as one economic entity" and the usual penalty should be imposed.

The club's joint administrators said later they were considering appealing the League's decision to deduct points.

"We are of the opinion that an incorrect conclusion has been reached," a statement said.

"The football regulations do not apply to the circumstances surrounding Southampton Football Club.

"This is a view shared by the lawyers and advisers to both the club and the administrators... who are now considering their positions and expect to launch an appeal."

Southampton were facing probable relegation anyway, second-last in the division on 44 points, four adrift of safety, with two games remaining.