While we should have been compliant by March 1 the fact that we thought we we were compliant, that given Lyon's last minute qualification, demotion and appeal we could not have foreseen we would be in breach and the fact that the deadline was arbitrarily moved and we are compliant now should have some bearing. Add Textor's shenanigans with reinvesting the sale money, Forest and Botago's last minute purchases and the make-up of the adjudication bodies and there must be a very plausible argument for a successful appeal - maybe the penalty can be reduced to a fine or something suspended. We listened to UEFA and made the required changes - sadly after the deadline, but realistically this discussion could not have taken place before we realised both sides were in the same competition. UEFA have the power of discretion to extend deadlines, they've done it before so we can argue correctly that there is no valid reason why we should be an exception. Why presume UEFA will remain rigid in their adherence to their ever-changing rules, which they've just changed again, especially when we now have joint ownership with Brondby?