in Reality, not a great deal, but you may get something.
At the end of the day, So'ton done something against the rules in order to gain an advantage(whether one is actually gained or not). They have to be punished.
Apart from the debate of whether this should or should not be a punishable offence, it's the punishment dished out in this case that I have a problem with. Wholly unsuitable punishment for the crime, and one that feels like So'ton have been made an example of.
Would this punishment have happened to 'one of the big six' if, for example it happened before an FACup semi final? I highly doubt it, and that's where the problem lies.
And now with the Appeal for a game less than 3 days away, where Hull may now play 'boro or will it still be So'ton?! - how will they prepare for this game properly. At least 'boro and So'ton know who their opponents will be.
Then there's the fans.. So'ton fans will have already arranged everything, tickets, travel, hotels etc. 'boro fans will not have. how do the 'boro fans get the so'tons fans tickets - are their tickets gong To be automatically refunded, the PFA can't refund the travel and hotel costs, surely, but I can't imagine SW Rail will give them a refund! and Surely there's nothing to say that the so'ton fans can't just keep thiers tickets and go anyway (or simply not turn up in protest)?
It's a right mess.