'Pool To Appeal Against Premier League Fine

This news appeared on transfer deadline day, but as you can imagine, it wasn't really noticed because of the transfer drama going on at Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool are set to appeal against the £25,000 fine given to them for fielding a weakened side in the league game against Aston Villa last November.

'Pool manager Ian Holloway famously said that he would resign if the Seasiders were fined, and despite being told by chairman Karl Oyston (who had done all the interviews regarding the fine on the day it was announced) not to say anything about it, Ollie confirmed that he had handed his resignation in and launched an attack on the powers that be:

'I think it is a total disgrace that I am told who I can pick and when I can pick them.

'If Arsenal changed eight the other month why is that allowed and I am not?

'I am totally confused as to the rules, who is making them and why I am a football manager and I'm not allowed to manage.

'How can they dare say my lads who did play are not good enough - which is basically what they are saying? I feel totally offended by it.'

Speaking about his threat to resign, he said:

'He [Karl Oyston] refused it and said he would deal with it and for it not to stop me trying to do what I am trying to do.

'I am glad he hasn't accepted it but I am very confused and bitter. I feel incensed.'

Holloway's stance has met with support from the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp.

Interestingly, of the players who played that night against Aston Villa, only two are not in 'Pool's revised Premier League squad - Dekel Keinan (who has since left the club) and club captain Jason Euell.

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