Fans across the country have blasted the owners of eight EPL clubs over their decision to ban two teams from the play-offs and their refusal to take part in discussions about a revised second tier.
A statement released on numerous club websites earlier today confirmed Telford Tigers and Manchester Phoenix “will not be invited to participate in the end of season play-offs following their well-documented liquidations in the previous 12 months”.
It also said that “a unanimous decision was made by all clubs attending that no member club will participate or attend the meeting on the 25th January 2017 convened by IHUK and it is intended that the league will continue for season 2017/18″.
BIH exclusively revealed earlier this week that a group of team owners wanted to take retrospective action against the Tigers, despite there being no provision in the rules of competition to do so.
The Tigers subsequently released their own statement confirming the rumour and announced the club “will be using every avenue available to us, to make sure Telford Tigers participate in the end of season play-offs”.
Our latest Twitter Talk feature takes a look at the reaction to the latest developments in the EPL:
@briticehockey British hockey protectionism strikes. it reads like its the EIHL. Not even attending IHUK meeting? Farce! #7TeamLeague
— IceOnTheHumber (@IceOTHumber) January 19, 2017
The EPIHL is officially a farce… Telford and Manchester banned from payoffs. AND any club that enters administration is basically screwed! pic.twitter.com/DCHL0LHcuO
— Mark Laing (@markl_17) January 19, 2017
Having a league run by the owners and not a professional governing body #gongshow
— Dave CES Fielder (@ces12fielder) January 19, 2017
Grim day for hockey, well done @EIHA_Official and all that supported the exclusion. Punish the players and supporters.. good call …
— Alan Gould (@alan_gould) January 19, 2017
@alan_gould @EIHA_Official who are the ones that have to suffer. That’s not fair at all. Punish the owners, not the fans.
— Anna Corrigan (@avcorrigan89) January 19, 2017
Exclusive photo from the EPL meeting… pic.twitter.com/qZKnVqjUTh
— Tom Wright (@TelfordTom) January 19, 2017
Plenty on THF seem to think team owners changing the rules midseason is just fine. Of course it is ? #gongshow #MickeyMousesport
— HockeyBG (@HockeyBG) January 19, 2017
The sport in this country is on a knife edge and its obvious that the people that run it do not give a damm
— Paul England (@inges245) January 19, 2017
The EPL’s response to recent issues is like a sculpter deciding that simply refining his sculpture requires a sledgehammer and wrecking ball
— Alex Bailey (@alexiproduce) January 19, 2017
@84arussell @CBealphotog So big decisions about the future of the league were made by 8 team, 2 of which are leaving in the summer. Great
— Thomas Graham (@Thomas_Graham92) January 19, 2017
So the EIHL and SNL and NIHL listened to IHUK, EPIHL attitude…. pic.twitter.com/sqGItyvpy7
— 2 for flinching (@CBealphotog) January 19, 2017
Playoffs change was “unanimously decided by all member clubs present”. Telford wouldn’t vote to exclude themselves, werent’ they there?
— Anthony Russell (@84arussell) January 19, 2017
@BritIceHockey Just Big kids in a playground attitude ?
— Carolle (@49Carolle) January 19, 2017
While some of the measures announced by #EPIHL are needed, the timing really does beggar belief.
Isn’t this what AGMs are for? https://t.co/H5dM2IXgqc— Dan Breen (@wh4tth3puck) January 19, 2017
(Image permission: Steve Brodie)
