Athlone Town couldn’t afford to pay their player’s wages, so they were slapped with a fine… makes sense.
The League of Ireland outfit have been fined €1,000 and have had their home advantage revoked for their match against Waterford United in August after failing to fulfil last week’s First Division fixture between the two sides.
The club were scheduled to take on the Munster men in the RSC last Friday but they didn’t have enough players for the fixture… because they couldn’t afford to pay them. Athlone forfeited the fixture and Waterford were awarded the 3-0 victory without playing a minute of football on the night.
Athlone have had an additional €4,000 fine suspended, but they will have to pay it if they fail to fulfill another competitive fixture.
Unsurprisingly, the good people of Twitter haven’t been responding too well to the news that Athlone’s punishment for not having enough money was a fine.
Athlone Town in such dire financial straits, they can't pay players so FAI fine them. Makes sense.
— Mark Gallagher (@bailemg) June 9, 2016
That Athlone Town judgement is an absolute joke. Shame on you FAI.
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) June 9, 2016
Just seen Athlone Town getting the help they need 🤔🙄
— Alan Cawley (@alancaw) June 9, 2016
Athlone Town fined €5,000 with €4,000 suspended. Waterford United granted a 3-0 win and the game in August has been switched to the RSC #LOI
— Pencil Head (@RobboGordon) June 9, 2016
Fining Athlone Town is nothing short of nonsensical.
That's the kind of problem-solving logic that will only bury League of Ireland clubs.
— Alan Finn (@alanfinn94) June 9, 2016
Fine Athlone Town FC who can't even paid player's then take a home game away from them doesn't work out
— Joe Cassidy Athlone (@JoeCassidyIRE) June 9, 2016
