Decision day nears for Jazz

Finnish side FC Jazz have been refused a licence by the Veikkausliiga Licensing Committee and now have until Tuesday 25 February to re-submit their application.

Relegation fears
The troubled Pori-based club have been unable to fulfil the financial requirements set by the footballing authorities and now face automatic relegation.

Final deadline
However, the licensing committee have given Jazz and two other clubs, VPS Vaasa and Myllykosken Pallo-47, a final deadline of 16:00 next Tuesday to send in their final applications ahead of the committee's next meeting, which takes place the following day. If none of the three clubs can fulfil the criteria, the 2003 league will comprise 13 clubs instead of the usual 14.

Controversial preparations
Jazz's pre-season preparations have been plagued by controversy, with the club owing the Finnish tax office €500,000, although Jazz are contesting the size of the debt. On 10 February, Finnish tax authorities demanded the club filed for bankruptcy after three former board members received conditional jail sentences for fraud after a three-year investigation into the club.

Heavy punishments
Antti Heikkila, Pentti Joensuu and Esko Suikkanen were all involved in running Jazz between 1994 and 1998. Heikkila was responsible for player and marketing contracts, Joensuu was the club's former managing director and Esko Suikkanen was a board member. In addition to eight-month conditional jail terms, all three received €50,000 fines.