Wolves news: Ex-Uefa official issues ‘controversial’ Molineux claim after ’embarrassing’ development
England’s game with Italy behind closed doors at Wolves’ Molineux Stadium on Saturday (11 June) should not even be covered on television, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Uefa referee claimed the only punishment that will hurt teams and nations is a points deduction.
England’s game at Molineux will take place in front of between 2,000 and 3,000 school children who have been given free tickets.
Hungary took advantage of a similar loophole when 30,000 school children were in attendance for their 1-0 win over England on Saturday (4 June).
The FA were handed a two-game stadium ban, with the second game suspended for 24 months, by Uefa after fan behaviour at the Euro 202 final at Wembley.
As quoted by Eurosport last month (25 May), Gareth Southgate admitted playing behind closed doors was an “embarrassment”.
“At the end of the day, the punishment is one of finances, it’s a loss of revenue,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“That’s the punishment. Ultimately, at the end of the day, the only sanction that will work, and I think it will eventually come in football, is a points deduction.
“We’ve seen points deductions in the football league for non-compliance of [financial] regulations. If we’re not careful we’re heading in that direction. It will really create a false competition.
“[Stadium closures] serve a purpose but allowing someone in, even if it’s school children is weakening the argument.
“I think the punishment should be if it’s a stadium ban, it’s a ban. Being controversial, that also means the game is not covered on the television either.”
In other news, Wolves are racing to sign a Bosnia star and £1.25million could seal the deal.