Money means points as Palace go into administration

Money talks louder than ever in football these days. The billionaires in charge of Chelsea and Manchester City have made sure of that.

A few years ago, lack of funds meant Leeds United slipped out of the Premier League and two seasons of deducted points (25 in total) send them down to the third tier from which they are still trying to escape.

Rotherham United and Bournemouth suffered large points penalties for going into administation and , last season, a 30 point deduction for reasons including administration condemned Luton Town to relegation to the Conference before the season had even started.

Chester City started this season in the Conference with a 25-point penalty After 27 games, they're still not "in the black", and ow they face a winding-up order fo the sake of a £26,000 unpaid tax bill. The club is today up for sale for one pound. What about one ten thousandth of Manchester City's first billion to bail them out?

Crystal Palace face a 10 point penalty for going into administration yesterday. From play-off hopefuls to relegation candidates in a trice. Their unpaid tax bill is £1.2 million.

Meanwhile, Mancehster United's debt £700m+ debt has been in the news recently. How on earth can they have gone from being "the world's richest club" to this? Ask the Glazers.

Without player investment, it could spell the end of United's (not quite total) recent domination of the English game.

How about a table compiled out of club money in future? It's the way we're heading.