On This Day – 21st December
It was on this day in 1996 that one of the most controversial moments in Premier League history occurred. Middlesbrough were due to play Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park but said that they were unable to put together a full team, let alone a whole matchday squad. Boro claimed that they had 23 players out through injury, illness and suspensions. They decided that their only option was to pull out of the match.
That decision would have greater repercussions at the end of the season. A few days later, the FA slapped them with a £50,000 fine and deducted three points. The points deduction angered Boro’s manager Bryan Robson, who still remains bitter about it to this day.
Middlesbrough were already at the bottom of the table but the deduction put them four points adrift of Southampton in 19th. They would put up a brave fight bit defeat in their final game of the season away to Leeds United sealed their relegation to the First Division. Only two points separated Boro from safety!
About Author
