Arsenal FC: Demotion
The story so far
Corruption in football has been a problem in some countries over the years. Juventus were stripped of their Serie A title and demoted to Serie B a few seasons ago, with many other clubs receiving point deductions and massive fines. Luckily, corruption ceases to exist in the English game, or at least, it has never been highlighted.
How ever, The F.A, in partnership with FIFA and UEFA have indicated that if any English club is found to have been involved in any kind of match fixing or anything of the sort, then they would be demoted to the bottom tier of English League Football. The Spanish F.A have also backed the idea and implemented the idea into their league System. The rest of Europe seem to favour the idea too, but Germany and France would rather punish the culprits, rather than the team themselves.
But many in the European Public and Media believed that these rules were the worse possible outcome in any given situation, and believed that the world would never see this kind of punishment.
The Arsenal Celebration
Arsenal were to celebrate 125 years of history in the upcoming 2011/2012 campaign. They had just reached the qualifiers for the Champions League. As soon as the last campaign finished, Thiery Henry and his New York Red Bulls were welcomed to the Emirates Stadium.
June 2011
Arsenal Vs New York Red Bulls
From The Emirate Stadium, London Att 60,000
It was a feel good day as the Arsenal faithful welcomed back their Hero, Henry. Arsenal bossed the match but going into half time, it was 0-0. After the break, Arsenal upped the pressure and Walcott managed to give them the lead on 61 minutes, tapping into an empty goal. Walcott then doubled the lead with a sweet 25 yard effort. Cesc Fabregas was rumoured to be leaving for Barcelona and he left with a parting gift, scoring a penalty on 89 minutes. Going into added time, the Arsenal players parted like the red sea and let Henry waltz down towards goal, with Fabianski stepping to one side, allowing Henry to score. The Arsenal fans cheered their hero, the Arsenal players and staff clapped as Henry saluted the crowd. Arsenal win 3-1.
Tottenham Anger
The Arsenal players had left to go on their pre season break, all going off on their holidays. Even Arsene Wenger took a weeks break in the French country side. How ever, a storm was brewing. Henry was interviewed by a French sports magazine and he had indicated that Arsene Wenger had told him that he would score the last goal of the game, no matter what. Henry said he was delighted and loved hearing the Arsenal fans cheer his name.
At White Hart Lane, Daniel Levy was about to hold a press conference. Rumours were rife that Modric would join Chelsea, or he had just confirmed the signing of a world class player. How ever, Levy had indicated that he had put a formal complaint into the F.A about match fixing. He said that the Arsenal/New York game had been sanctioned by the F.A and UEFA. He mentioned that nearly every one had put a bet on Henry to score at some point, which he did. He went on to say that the game was fixed and the most damming evidence was the fact that the Arsenal players stepped aside, allowing Henry to score. Every one in the media was shocked and had to await a F.A and UEFA response.
Arsenal Favourite, Ray Parlour, was heard on Talksport slamming Levy, stressing that nothing would come of the matter, how ever, UEFA and the F.A were silent.
2 weeks later
Finally, after rumours had spread like wild fire, Platini was ready to speak about the situation. From a convention centre in Paris, Platini gave his verdict.
He said that he expected the F.A had already held an investigation and that UEFA would support any decision made by the F.A. He said that if Arsenal were found guilty then they wouldn't be able to appeal because of a anti corruption contract signed by all League clubs in Europe.
A day later, the F.A released their statement.
They indicated they take any report of match fixing and corruption seriously, whether it be a friendly game or the F.A Cup final. They said that Levy had raised a complaint and found Arsenal Guilty of Match Fixing, using Henry's interview as evidence. They also said they would announce Arsenals punishment in the coming weeks, whilst also saying that if they didn't punish Arsenal after they had found them guilty, then UEFA would ban English Teams playing in Europe.
The Aftermath
Arsenal fans were furious, Arsenal legends were calling Levy a small minded and ignorant idiot, whilst Tottenham fans were hailing him as a hero. Then, Breaking news on Sky Sports News, The English F.A had demoted Arsenal to League 1. Wenger left his post as manager straight away, saying he would never manage in England again, in protest. Fabregas was stunned and this helped push his move to Barcelona through, whilst Nasri demanded a move to Manchester City, which went through almost straight away.
In East London, Hammers fans were over the moon, as they had been promoted back into the Premier League with Sheffield United regaining their spot in the Championship.
Arsenal were in turmoil. Who would want to leave next? who would take over the reigns as manager?
The story so far
Corruption in football has been a problem in some countries over the years. Juventus were stripped of their Serie A title and demoted to Serie B a few seasons ago, with many other clubs receiving point deductions and massive fines. Luckily, corruption ceases to exist in the English game, or at least, it has never been highlighted.
How ever, The F.A, in partnership with FIFA and UEFA have indicated that if any English club is found to have been involved in any kind of match fixing or anything of the sort, then they would be demoted to the bottom tier of English League Football. The Spanish F.A have also backed the idea and implemented the idea into their league System. The rest of Europe seem to favour the idea too, but Germany and France would rather punish the culprits, rather than the team themselves.
But many in the European Public and Media believed that these rules were the worse possible outcome in any given situation, and believed that the world would never see this kind of punishment.
The Arsenal Celebration
Arsenal were to celebrate 125 years of history in the upcoming 2011/2012 campaign. They had just reached the qualifiers for the Champions League. As soon as the last campaign finished, Thiery Henry and his New York Red Bulls were welcomed to the Emirates Stadium.
June 2011
Arsenal Vs New York Red Bulls
From The Emirate Stadium, London Att 60,000
It was a feel good day as the Arsenal faithful welcomed back their Hero, Henry. Arsenal bossed the match but going into half time, it was 0-0. After the break, Arsenal upped the pressure and Walcott managed to give them the lead on 61 minutes, tapping into an empty goal. Walcott then doubled the lead with a sweet 25 yard effort. Cesc Fabregas was rumoured to be leaving for Barcelona and he left with a parting gift, scoring a penalty on 89 minutes. Going into added time, the Arsenal players parted like the red sea and let Henry waltz down towards goal, with Fabianski stepping to one side, allowing Henry to score. The Arsenal fans cheered their hero, the Arsenal players and staff clapped as Henry saluted the crowd. Arsenal win 3-1.
Tottenham Anger
The Arsenal players had left to go on their pre season break, all going off on their holidays. Even Arsene Wenger took a weeks break in the French country side. How ever, a storm was brewing. Henry was interviewed by a French sports magazine and he had indicated that Arsene Wenger had told him that he would score the last goal of the game, no matter what. Henry said he was delighted and loved hearing the Arsenal fans cheer his name.
At White Hart Lane, Daniel Levy was about to hold a press conference. Rumours were rife that Modric would join Chelsea, or he had just confirmed the signing of a world class player. How ever, Levy had indicated that he had put a formal complaint into the F.A about match fixing. He said that the Arsenal/New York game had been sanctioned by the F.A and UEFA. He mentioned that nearly every one had put a bet on Henry to score at some point, which he did. He went on to say that the game was fixed and the most damming evidence was the fact that the Arsenal players stepped aside, allowing Henry to score. Every one in the media was shocked and had to await a F.A and UEFA response.
Arsenal Favourite, Ray Parlour, was heard on Talksport slamming Levy, stressing that nothing would come of the matter, how ever, UEFA and the F.A were silent.
2 weeks later
Finally, after rumours had spread like wild fire, Platini was ready to speak about the situation. From a convention centre in Paris, Platini gave his verdict.
He said that he expected the F.A had already held an investigation and that UEFA would support any decision made by the F.A. He said that if Arsenal were found guilty then they wouldn't be able to appeal because of a anti corruption contract signed by all League clubs in Europe.
A day later, the F.A released their statement.
They indicated they take any report of match fixing and corruption seriously, whether it be a friendly game or the F.A Cup final. They said that Levy had raised a complaint and found Arsenal Guilty of Match Fixing, using Henry's interview as evidence. They also said they would announce Arsenals punishment in the coming weeks, whilst also saying that if they didn't punish Arsenal after they had found them guilty, then UEFA would ban English Teams playing in Europe.
The Aftermath
Arsenal fans were furious, Arsenal legends were calling Levy a small minded and ignorant idiot, whilst Tottenham fans were hailing him as a hero. Then, Breaking news on Sky Sports News, The English F.A had demoted Arsenal to League 1. Wenger left his post as manager straight away, saying he would never manage in England again, in protest. Fabregas was stunned and this helped push his move to Barcelona through, whilst Nasri demanded a move to Manchester City, which went through almost straight away.
In East London, Hammers fans were over the moon, as they had been promoted back into the Premier League with Sheffield United regaining their spot in the Championship.
Arsenal were in turmoil. Who would want to leave next? who would take over the reigns as manager?
