PROPOSED penalties imposed on football clubs who go into administration should not be fixed but should take into account circumstances, according to York City chairman Steve Beck.

A plan that would see crisis clubs docked up to 12 points for going into administration was being discussed at an emergency general meeting of the Football League today.

The move, the brainchild of League chairman Sir Brian Mawhinney and first mooted in the summer, is in response to growing concern that some clubs are deliberately choosing to protect themselves from creditors after financial mismanagement.

Under the proposals, to be introduced next season if endorsed tomorrow, any club remaining in administration for more than 18 months would be expelled from the Football League.

It is hoped the penalties will discourage clubs from amassing huge debts without considering the consequences.

Acknowledging that not all clubs go into administration just to clear self-inflicted losses, Mawhinney has now stated there will be an appeals process for clubs who are docked points.

The Minstermen were placed in administration last season as the club teetered on the brink of extinction.

Beck insisted the process was no cakewalk and while welcoming the opportunity for clubs to appeal against any points deduction insisted sanctions should not be mandatory.

Beck said: "Rather than having between ten and 12 points deducted, my view is that there should be a sliding scale from between nought and nine points depending on the circumstances.

"I am happier that there seems to be an appeals panel but I do think it would be better if a panel looked at each case individually before making a decision and imposing a fine then going through the appeals process.

"A number of clubs are going or have gone through administration, but it is still not in the massive numbers that would prevent a panel from looking at each case individually."

Beck pointed out that a number of clubs, like York City, had been taken into administration by a chairman or owners but by the time they came out of the process they were in the hands of new owners.

In such circumstances, it would be the new owners, not responsible for amassing the debt, who would be punished.

"Some of the clubs voting believe clubs are getting a sporting advantage by taking their clubs into administration," said the City chairman.

"I would like to know what sporting advantage York City got. We lost two of our best players (Alan Fettis and Peter Duffield) to rival clubs.

"Had we been able to keep them I think we would have made the play-offs."

Beck said there were a number of amendments being proposed to the proposals and so, despite his concerns, he would wait to hear them before deciding on which way to vote.

Updated: 11:25 Thursday, September 25, 2003