THE disciplinary panel convened to punish Bolton for missing two fixtures was always going to get it in the neck. Too harsh and they’d stand accused of kicking a club on its uppers. Too soft and they’d risk undermining the integrity of the competition.
Whichever way the panel swayed, somebody was guaranteed to kick up a stink. That is what transpired after the Trotters were fined £70,000, with half of it suspended for 18 months, and handed a five-point deduction, also suspended for 18 months.
The sanction is punishment for Bolton’s failure to fulfil two fixtures amid...