A report has be published stating that Bolton Wanderers could be about to face another points deduction this season, adding to the minus 12 handed to them this summer.
The troubled League One side saw manager Phil Parkinson and assistant manager Steve Parkin resign yesterday evening.
That came after the Trotters were forced to postpone their fixture with Doncaster Rovers 24 hours before the match was set to be played.
The reasoning for that was amid welfare concerns for the young players in their squad and only had three senior outfield players for Saturday’s 5-0 defeat at Tranmere Rovers.
On the postponement, Bolton said: “Whilst the threat of further EFL sanctions is obvious, nothing can be allowed to impact on the welfare of such a young group of players. With so many senior players injured or unavailable, the squad has performed heroically and deserves so much credit.
“But after consultation with the club’s medical staff, it is obvious that to call on them for another match without an adequate break would be detrimental to both their welfare and development which cannot be allowed.
“We were able to bring in reinforcements before the match against Coventry because the deal was so close to completion. Now, following recent events, the legal position of various parties has altered which means a delay in completion. In this situation, it is very difficult to attract available players to the club.
“I will be discussing the implications with the EFL but in the meantime, I would call on all parties involved with the acquisition of the club and hotel to end this intolerable delay and secure once and for all the future of Bolton Wanderers.
A Doncaster statement said: “Bolton Wanderers have postponed this game without the agreement of Rovers or the EFL, and we were surprised to learn of the news via Bolton’s social media. We have a lot of sympathy for Bolton’s plight but we’ve prepared for this game as normal and fully expected it to go ahead.
“We will work with the EFL to understand this situation and keep supporters as informed as we can when we are able to say more.”
Bolton boss Phil Parkinson slammed the EFL for their treatment recently: “Asking young players to go again is not right.
“We sent an email to the EFL explaining our concerns about the welfare of the young players playing these games in quick succession. We were told we had to play the game.
“A combination of the people not getting the deal to buy the club over the line and the tangled web involved in that and us being made to play the game has hung me, the staff and all the players out to dry.
“Honestly, it is unacceptable. This is Bolton Wanderers Football Club – a fantastic club with great history and we need a bit of help.
“If it is not going to be sold we need to be able to bring some players in. We can’t have this type of scenario thrown at us.
“Yes, it’s a great learning curve for the young players but we don’t want to ruin them.
“We lost Liam Edwards and Dennis Politic and there are others hanging on by a thread. It is unacceptable. I am absolutely livid.
“The lads, to be fair, have absolutely ran themselves into the ground. Tranmere did what you expect and identified that we are a tiring young team. They played a physical, direct game and tried to bully us. That’s what you have got to do to get a result and I don’t blame them one bit.
“That was a tough test for the youngsters and right up to the first goal they were brilliant. You can see it so clearly from the touchline that their fatigue sets in and we’re having to play the senior players out of position to form a team.”
The EFL said: “The club [Bolton] has stated it has taken the decision to postpone the game as a result of concerns over the welfare of its young players, given the frequency of fixtures and the impact this would have on their physical and emotional well-being.”
“The EFL understands the challenging position the club currently finds itself in whilst negotiations continue over its purchase. However, it would have expected the club to have first interfaced with the EFL, giving it an opportunity to consider the application to postpone, and consulted with the club’s opposition, Doncaster Rovers before making a public announcement. “The EFL remains acutely aware of the ongoing risks this challenging and complex situation has to the integrity of the competition.”
Bolton’s final match of last season against Brentford also didn’t go ahead and the Bees were handed three points. This case still needs to be referred to a commission along with the Doncaster game, both could be heard together.
Birmingham were hit with a nine-point penalty for breaking financial regulations and according to The Sun not being able to play a game at least ranks alongside that offence for severity.
In 2015, Blackpool were handed a three-point deduction for failing to fulfil their final Championship fixture with Huddersfield on the 2nd of May.
Fans and the Trotters are hopeful a takeover by Football Ventures will be completed as soon as possible.
After finding out the latest postponement, the manager departure and potential point deduction, fans vented their frustration over on Twitter – see a round up of their tweets by clicking on the next page.
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