As is the level of the fine.
If both are £45k as rumoured then both payment and fine are staggering IMO.
I do believe Ged felt giving permission was the lesser of 2 evils. The possible inducement received muddied the waters.
Ultimately Holder shouldve been told ride or be banned. Put the choice in his hands knowing he would be dropping Boro and Poole in it if he went to Poland.
If he still went then so be it. You then deal with it as best you can.
Its the same with any situation of coercion or blackmail - once you give in the first time they have you and you are in someway complicit going forward.