The Real Reason The Hammers Weren't Docked Points

Basically, the EPL was worried about Jose Mourinho's reaction to Manchester United playing a team with nothing to play for on the last day of the season. A little birdie got to the ear of the sports editor at the BBC. Money quote:

...the commission was also concerned about the potential effect of any decision on the top of the league.

That is because West Ham play Manchester United in their last game of the season on Sunday.

When the decision was taken on what punishment to apply over the two Argentine World Cup stars being owned by a third party, the title race was still in the balance.

And the Premier League commission feared a possible backlash from Chelsea had West Ham entered the final fixture at Old Trafford already relegated because of a points deduction.

There were worries that last season’s champions may have claimed that the commission had interfered with the destination of the Premiership.

Well then, I guess that clears everything up.

What lay behind the West Ham decision [BBC]

-ac