The following is a press release from Hereford MP Jesse Norman:
Local MP Jesse Norman has weighed in heavily to support Hereford United in its fight against a points penalty imposed by the Football League.
Local MP Jesse Norman has weighed in heavily to support Hereford United in its fight against a points penalty imposed by the Football League.
Norman originally wrote to the League in support of the Bulls when it appeared the club might lose points for fielding an ineligible player in its match against Torquay on February 1.
He is now demanding a full public explanation of the decision, and has referred the issue as a matter of urgency to the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee as part of their current Inquiry into Football Governance.
Commenting, Jesse Norman said "This is a very punitive and unfair decision, which comes at a critical time in the season for the Bulls.
"It is wrong for the League to impose such a heavy penalty for a relatively minor error by the club. It is doubly wrong then to let Torquay off with only a single point deduction, when they made exactly the same mistake.
"Football is notorious for the poor quality of its governance, and this looks like yet another dodgy decision. There has been a huge lack of transparency here, and I am particularly concerned that the League's board includes Anthony Kleanthous, who is the Chairman of Barnet, which could stand to gain hugely from a Hereford relegation.
"That's why I have asked the Select Committee to look into this issue as a matter of urgency, and to hold the Football League to account for it in a public hearing."