LORD Faulkener of Worcester points to the absurd rules which cover football clubs plunged into administration.

The players continue to pocket a fortune while lowly-paid staff in the club shop get sacked and the Inland Revenue is pushed to the back of the queue of creditors.

The football fan said: "In the case of Bradford City Football Club, which became insolvent in May 2002, 36 workers in club shops were sacked, St John's Ambulance Brigade were left to whistle for the £5,000 that were owing to them, the local authorities which were owed money for public money were denied, yet Mr Benito Carbone was allowed to collect his £40,000 a week under contract, without any penalty at all."

Government spokesman Lord Triesman said a senior judge had considered the Football League's rules for paying creditors.

"While they might be considered objectionable, they were legal," he said.