MIDDLESBROUGH yesterday officially appealed against the three points deducted by the Premier League after their refusal to fulfil the fixture against Blackburn on December 21st.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson and his legal advisers have spent the 10 days since the landmark verdict of the League's disciplinary commission deciding the grounds on which they will seek to overturn the punishment. They may argue that the commission over-stepped its authority.

Middlesbrough were also fined £50,000 after unilaterally calling off the Ewood Park clash at barely 24 hours' notice. Manager Bryan Robson claimed that 23 players were ruled out of the game through either sickness, injuries or suspensions.

Bournemouth, who are £3.7 million in debt, have been placed in the hands of the receivers - and their future is now hanging in the balance.