Luton Town fail in points appeal

Luton Town have lost their appeal against a 10-point penalty for financial irregularities.

Luton, who were also deducted 20 points after failing to satisfy the Football League's insolvency rules, will begin life in League Two on minus 30 points.

The Football Association has now ruled the club's 10-point deduction and £50,000 fine for making irregular payments to agents stands.

The Hatters were relegated from League One last season.

"I am absolutely shattered by the decision, as we all are in the 2020 consortium," prospective chairman Nick Owen told BBC Sport.

"But it will not detract from our determination to save our football club and drive us back up the league.

606: DEBATE Oh well, -30 points it is then - Bring it on!! HatterTim

"It will take a lot to avoid relegation, but that is our aim, despite the obstacles thrown at us by the League and FA."

Luton were hit with the 10 point deduction in June after the FA found the club guilty of paying agents via a third party, but not of paying bungs.

The club argued that the old owners were responsible and that the club should not now be punished for their mistakes, but at a hearing in London on Tuesday the FA rejected their appeal.

An FA statement said: "The FA Regulatory Commission's responsibility was to decide the appropriate punishment for Luton's admitted breaches of the FA's own rules and regulations.

"The deduction of 10 points was a heavy sanction, as it was intended to be, but was not excessive as a reflection of the seriousness of the breaches and the need to deter such conduct within football clubs."