Scattered amongst the news articles this week in the soccer world were two disturbing stories of financial failure involving top clubs in both England and Scotland. Sadly, fans of Rangers and Portsmouth awoke to the news that their clubs had entered "administration" due to overwhelming financial debts which, according to the rules of their respective Leagues, means that both teams receive a 10-point deduction for the current season.

By Chris Wright

As you'll no doubt be aware, Rangers are currently in administration to the tune of a £50-odd million tax bill and, safe to say, Celtic are bloody loving it hence this impressively large HMRC banner, that was unfurled during the Bhoys' 5-0 spanking of Hibernian at Easter Road on Saturday.

Portsmouth Football Club have been hit with yet another punch as the threat of administration looms – with manager Michael Appleton stating he is ‘ready for a points deduction.'

But is a points deduction really fair on Portsmouth Football Club?
Pompey's recent dogged luck has been created by individuals who were inadequate to run the football club and a controversial system in which they were appointed: the so called Fit and Proper Person's Test.

We have been waiting for this since November but that doesn't make it any better. The new manager, the younger team, and games like the awayday at Blackpool notwithstanding, no one has been able to fully enjoy the simplicity of Championship survival. That is because, when the first shoe hit the floor in November, we learned that 'self-sustaining' really meant 'injection of a £10.