Steven Pressley’s Coventry docked ten points

STEVEN Pressley’s hopes of leading Coventry City into the Championship received a hammer blow yesterday as the Sky Blues were deducted ten points by the Football League having entered administration.

Coventry were tenth in npower League One, five points off the play-off places, but their promotion hopes for this term have now been extinguished having dropped to 14th place.

Pressley recently left Falkirk to take over as manager at one of the clubs he played for, but his hopes of taking them up at a division at the first attempt look doomed. Coventry do, however, have one week in which to appeal the decision.

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“The most important thing for us is pride at this moment in time and to still believe that until the final decision is made that there is still an opportunity,” said Pressley. “We haven’t given up hope. Although it’s a disappointment we have seven days to appeal and we won’t give up hope until the final outcome.

“I do believe the club will make an appeal and we still have a responsibility and have to play with pride and determination in our performance, and that’s what we expect. We have to react in a professional manner and that’s all we can demand.

“The next seven days will be crucial in the respect of results this weekend and pending the outcome of the League’s decision. I have been in for four games but the players and the supporters have had to endure 39 games.

“For the players that is 39 games of hard work to get themselves in a position of potential and for our supporters they have paid money all year so I have the greatest feeling for them. So in that respect I’m hugely disappointed. Moving forward we might have to take a short-term disappointment to gain the longer-term stability. But that’s the only positive I can take from the situation.”

A statement released yesterday read: “The Football League can confirm that Coventry City Football Club have been deducted ten points, in accordance with its rules and regulations. This sporting sanction has been implemented with immediate effect. Coventry City have seven days in which to appeal. The League has now begun discussions with the administrator aimed at achieving a sustainable future for the club within The Football League.”

In response to the penalty, Coventry released a statement stressing they will be discussing a course of action with the Football League as soon as possible.

“Coventry City Football Club can confirm it will be taking up the invitation from the Football League to discuss its decision to deduct 10 points from the club,” it read. “The club is disappointed by the decision but also understands the Football League’s course of action in accordance with its rules and regulations. We welcome the offer for further dialogue which we hope to commence at the earliest available opportunity.

“Coventry City Football Club has the right to appeal the decision within seven days and discussions have already started with regards to the club’s next official course of action. The Football League board will further consider their position regarding the club at their next meeting on April 11 2013.”

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The punishment came on the same day as Coventry finally reached a short-term agreement to play their three remaining home games this season at the Ricoh Arena. The non-operating subsidiary of the club placed in administration, Coventry City Football Club Limited, held the lease and licence for the stadium. That covered permission to play home matches at the Ricoh Arena as well as the rental of the club shop and offices, which have already been emptied, with all staff having moved to their Ryton training ground.

It sparked speculation and uncertainty over where City would play their remaining home fixtures this term.