CLUBS who follow Ipswich Town's path to administration are to face draconian new punishments including points deduction and relegation.The tough new rules were agreed by Football League chairman at a special meeting at Leicester City's new Walkers Stadium – and Town chairman David Sheepshanks was among those to vote for the move.

CLUBS who follow Ipswich Town's path to administration are to face draconian new punishments including points deduction and relegation.

The tough new rules were agreed by Football League chairman at a special meeting at Leicester City's new Walkers Stadium – and Town chairman David Sheepshanks was among those to vote for the move.

The move one was one of a raft of measures passed yesterday with the aim of stabilising the game in the first, second, and third divisions.

The chairmen also voted to introduce a salary cap to third division clubs – which could be extended throughout the league if it is successful.

To soften the blow, they voted to extend the play-off structure from four teams to six from next season in order to generate more money and excitement.

The current structure only applies to the highest-finishing four teams who miss out on automatic promotion.

Under the new system the bottom four teams in the play-off zone will play each other with the winners progressing to meet the top two. The winners of those games would contest the play-off finals.

The salary cap and play-off proposals are expected to be ratified at the League's AGM on June 5 while the insolvency protocol is scheduled for rubber stamping at an EGM to be held sometime before the start of next season.