FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF WALES

PORTHMADOGGATE (or PORTHMADOCGATE if you are the FAW)

On Saturday 11 November 2006, a spectator at a football match between Newport County and Swansea City threw a coin at one of the match officials. The official was knocked unconscious and an artery in his head was severed. He was rushed to hospital, where he underwent an operation that needed seven stitches.

The culprit was not apprehended.

On Saturday 9th December at Y Traeth, at the football match between Porthmadog and Cwmbran Town, one spectator shouted a racist remark at one of the officials. The culprit was immediately "detained" by his fellow spectators, and later appeared before club officials, who promptly banned him from their ground.

At a recent disciplinary hearing of the Football Association of Wales, Newport County and Porthmadog were charged with failing to control their supporters. One club was fined £2000, and the other was fined £13,200 and deducted 3 league points.

Now, can you guess which club suffered which penalty?

In fact, Porthmadog shouldn't even have been been found guilty at all. The fact that it was the supporters who arrested the culprit shows that the club has a very good control over its fans. No wonder the club is upset This is just another example of the FAW having gone totally bonkers. Just look at what the Saes FA did (or didn't) in even worse circumstances in England. I have of course asked David Collins for his comments, and I shall post them here when they arrive.

If you wish to complain about this absurd, draconian penalty heaped upon Porthmadog, then you should write to the FAW to complain, and sign the club's petition.

If you need any more information, then .