As Blues approach another last away game of the season it's one a couple of years ago that comes to mind as it could be repeated quite soon.
The Football League imposed the penalty having investigated the Saints finances since their holding company, Southampton Leisure Holdings plc, went into administration.
However, the club are set to launch an appeal against the 10-point penalty which has condemned them to relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship.
Southampton argued that because the club itself is not in administration they should avoid the mandatory points penalty, but the League today decided the 10-point deduction stands.
If the south-coast club finish outside the bottom three they will still be relegated as the points will be taken from this season's total, while if they finish in the drop zone they will start next season in League One on minus-10 points. Southampton, currently second from bottom and four points from safety, therefore face the bizarre prospect of playing their final two games for the right to start the League One season on zero points rather than to avoid the drop.
But the saga is set to drag on after administrators issued an angry response to the League's decision.
The joint administrators ("the Administrators") to Southampton Leisure Holdings plc ("the Company"), the AIM-listed holding company that owns Southampton Football Club ("the Club") today issued the following response to the findings of the independent forensic report commissioned by the Football League ("the League").
The Administrators and the Club were informed of the League's intention to issue a release on the findings of the independent forensic report five minutes before its publication, allowing no time for consultation and both the Administrator and the Club to inform fans, players and staff.
We are of the opinion that an incorrect conclusion has been reached. The football regulations do not apply to the circumstances surrounding Southampton Football Club. This is a view shared by the lawyers and advisers to both the Club and the Administrators.
The point surrounding non-cooperation is not accepted. A different scope of investigation was issued to the Club and to the accountants instructed by the League which resulted in questions being raised outside of the scope of the investigation. This matter had been raised by the solicitor acting for the Club and no response has been received. Both the Club and the Administrator were unaware that the investigation had been concluded.
Southampton and the Administrators are now considering their positions and expect to launch an appeal.