Craig under pressure to quit Wimbledon panel

Thursday 17 January 2002 20:00 EST
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York City fans have called for the club chairman, Douglas Craig, to be removed from the panel which, on Monday, is due to consider Wimbledon's proposed move to Milton Keynes. Craig, recommended by the Football League, will sit alongside Douglas Hollander QC and David Dein, Arsenal's vice-chairman, whom Wimbledon recommended.

Most Wimbledon fans oppose the move, arguing its motive is solely financial, while Charles Koppel, the Wimbledon chairman, says it is essential if the homeless club is to survive. The Football League refused Wimbledon permission, saying "franchised football" would be disastrous, but the club appealed to arbitration under the Football Association's rules.

Now Craig's actions have led to calls that he be removed: "How can he sit in judgment on another club," said Steve Beck of the official York City Supporters' Club, "when he is dumping his own and selling the ground at a profit? And how can the FA entrust him with its rules when he has sidestepped them at York?"

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