Football: Barnet plea rejected

(First Edition)

BARNET'S appeal against their 50,000 pounds fine by the Football League for financial irregularities was yesterday rejected by a Football Association board of appeal sitting at White Hart Lane, Tottenham.

After a four-hour meeting, the Third Division club's appeal against the size of their fine, imposed last November, was dismissed. Jonathan Crystal, Barnet's barrister, said: 'We had a very fair hearing. The club are obviously disappointed and the fine represents a serious blow to their finances.' Stan Flashman, Barnet's chairman who brawled with photographers at the original hearing, was unwell and did not attend the hearing, although his wife, Helen, the club's solicitor, Stanley Beller, and auditor, Ralph da Souzam, were present.

Barnet were also ordered to pay the costs of the appeal. The Football League confirmed yesterday that it plans to reinspect Barnet's books in April.