If they appeal it and the hearing isn’t before the second leg, and they lose the play off, and they lose the appeal, he is suspended for us, and breathe.
If he doesn't sign with us and no-one wants to pay then he is in limbo, perhaps till he reaches a particular age then he would be free to sign for whoever wants him. To prevent that he would be as well signing with us.
He probably said what he believed at the time, the facts then changed. Why are we benching him and not any of the other players that wont be with us next season?
While typing I tried to word it to avoid that answer, but failed, I realise you were embarrassed when you typed your response but I obviously had left it open for you.
Strange game, I thought we were well in it and were for large parts the better team but a lack of composure up front and a lack of concentration at the back was our downfall, as the game went on we fell out of it. What might have been.