silverfox
Well-Known Member
From the star...............
A GLOATING London MP has tabled a Commons motion praising the decision of an arbitration panel which sealed Sheffield United's relegation fate.
But the move has brought an angry response from Blades fans – including Sheffield Attercliffe MP and former Sports Minister Richard Caborn.
Upton Park season ticket holder Mike Gapes has tabled his Early Day Motion in Parliament, at a cost of around £300 to the taxpayer.
In the motion, the Labour MP for Ilford South, who describes himself as a "fanatical supporter of West Ham United", says that "Sheffield United were relegated because they lost at home to Wigan in their last match and as a result only had 38 points."
It "welcomes the decision of the Premier League arbitration panel to reject the challenge by Sheffield United and Fulham to the decision to fine West Ham United rather than deduct points."
And it goes on to welcome "the fact that matters of survival and relegation were decided on the field of play and not in the law courts."
It concludes, by wishing "West Ham United a successful Premiership season and Sheffield United a successful Championship season in 2007-08."
But Mr Gapes's motion has failed to win the backing of a single fellow MP.
And Sports Minister Richard Caborn today said he's not surprised.
"I think it's uncalled for," he said. "There is still a great sense within the football family that Sheffield United were wronged. Early Day Motions such as this are not within the sporting spirit of football."
Janet Ireland, of the Sheffield United Disabled Supporters' Club, criticised the Early Day Motion as "nothing short of disgusting".
She added: "Personally I believe the decision of the arbitration panel was wong and so do many more football fans.
"For Mr Gapes to table this totally unnecessary motion is simply rubbing salt into the wounds and that is simply not on."
The arbitration panel upheld the Premier League's decision not to dock the Hammers points over the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
The three-man panel, headed by retired High Court judge Sir Philip Otton, did not have the power to change West Ham's punishment but could have ordered a new independent commission to judge the case.
The tribunal did say it had "sympathy" with the Blades, while West Ham had been "deliberately deceitful" and yet remained in the Premier League.
A GLOATING London MP has tabled a Commons motion praising the decision of an arbitration panel which sealed Sheffield United's relegation fate.
But the move has brought an angry response from Blades fans – including Sheffield Attercliffe MP and former Sports Minister Richard Caborn.
Upton Park season ticket holder Mike Gapes has tabled his Early Day Motion in Parliament, at a cost of around £300 to the taxpayer.
In the motion, the Labour MP for Ilford South, who describes himself as a "fanatical supporter of West Ham United", says that "Sheffield United were relegated because they lost at home to Wigan in their last match and as a result only had 38 points."
It "welcomes the decision of the Premier League arbitration panel to reject the challenge by Sheffield United and Fulham to the decision to fine West Ham United rather than deduct points."
And it goes on to welcome "the fact that matters of survival and relegation were decided on the field of play and not in the law courts."
It concludes, by wishing "West Ham United a successful Premiership season and Sheffield United a successful Championship season in 2007-08."
But Mr Gapes's motion has failed to win the backing of a single fellow MP.
And Sports Minister Richard Caborn today said he's not surprised.
"I think it's uncalled for," he said. "There is still a great sense within the football family that Sheffield United were wronged. Early Day Motions such as this are not within the sporting spirit of football."
Janet Ireland, of the Sheffield United Disabled Supporters' Club, criticised the Early Day Motion as "nothing short of disgusting".
She added: "Personally I believe the decision of the arbitration panel was wong and so do many more football fans.
"For Mr Gapes to table this totally unnecessary motion is simply rubbing salt into the wounds and that is simply not on."
The arbitration panel upheld the Premier League's decision not to dock the Hammers points over the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.
The three-man panel, headed by retired High Court judge Sir Philip Otton, did not have the power to change West Ham's punishment but could have ordered a new independent commission to judge the case.
The tribunal did say it had "sympathy" with the Blades, while West Ham had been "deliberately deceitful" and yet remained in the Premier League.
