EFL push for Derby punishment with possible huge points deduction

The EFL push for a punishment to be served to Derby County with a possible huge points deduction being planned according to reports.

Wayne Rooney’s side are said to be in discussions with the English Football League over an “agreed sanction” relating to the club’s financial breaches.

It is the latest chapter in what is a long-running and complicated saga between the Rams and the league, with fans losing patience at not hearing anything.

In early 2020, Derby were originally cleared of breaching spending rules, but the EFL challenged it in the summer earning the Championship club a £100,000 fine.

They also challenged the club’s accounting policies which meant they had to re-submit three years of accounts.

Now however, according to the Telegraph, the EFL is now pushing for a nine-point deduction with another three suspended.

If imposed, it would be a hammer blow to Derby’s chances of staying in the second tier.

They are already operating under a transfer embargo which has left a frustrated Rooney with a wafer-thin squad with restrictions meaning they have had to flesh out the roster with youngsters.

Reporter John Percy has now provided an update, posting: “Talks ongoing with the EFL over an “agreed sanction” for financial breaches. EFL pushing for points deduction (-9 & -3 suspended possible).

“Derby insist their accounting policy is fair, so compromise must be reached. Both sides determined to finally resolve it ASAP.”

#dcfc update: talks ongoing with the EFL over an “agreed sanction” for financial breaches. EFL pushing for points deduction (-12 & -3 suspended possible). Derby insist their accounting policy is fair, so compromise must be reached. Both sides determined to finally resolve it ASAP

— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) September 8, 2021

Wish Twitter had an edit function.. but just for clarity the possible points deduction which has been mooted is -9 plus -3 suspended. Derby will either try and agree a compromise or fight it. Re: “how do Derby get to agree their punishment” it’s Reg. 85 in the EFL rule book

— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) September 8, 2021

Derby County must now choose whether to agree to a points deduction or fight it.

Rooney says he understands fans’ frustrations. He said: “I think what’s important from my point of view is the fans have been excellent, right behind the team, right behind the players.

“The noise they’re making, you can feel the enthusiasm and they can see the players working for them and the energy and the effort the players are putting in, the fans can see that.

“So, we, as a coaching staff and a group of players, we know the fans are right behind us.

“In terms of the questions, which I’m sure everyone’s asking, the fans are asking. I’m asking those questions myself of the people above me.

“Unfortunately, I can’t give an answer to them, I wish I could.

“But from a playing point of view and a players point of view, get behind us.

“We’re giving everything we can for this club, everything to try and get positive results and we will need to the fans right behind us.”

Derby have made a positive start to the new season, six points from their opening five league games.

They resume action after the international break with a Friday night trip to Birmingham City, but Rooney isn’t happy at the scheduling.

“The frustrating thing is we’ve got Kamil Jozwiak away, he’ll play tonight for Poland, so there’s no way he’ll be able to play on Friday. It’s impossible,” Rooney vented.

“My squad is very thin. If we get injuries we’re in big trouble. It isn’t ideal but I’ll do everything I can to get the most out of these players.

“I don’t think games should be on a Friday (after an international break). To not have Kamil available because our fixture gets moved is frustrating. I don’t see why it can’t be 24 hours later on TV.”

Fans reacted as the EFL push for a Derby punishment with a possible huge points deduction planned…

@dazw71: If the EFL are confident we have done something wrong, why don’t they actually charge us with an offence?

@mikecoop82: They clearly have otherwise they wouldn’t be talking about punishment 😂🤦🏼‍♂️

@RedDogCam: It’s all a bit weird isn’t it. If the punishment is so enforceable, surely the EFL would just have at it. Negotiating seems very odd. I think everyone will be glad when this saga is over.

@stumarshall71: No compromise at all needed if they’re guilty they’re guilty end of, what have derby got on EFL

@_D_A_N__: The fact the EFL signed it off and later changed their mind, took it to court and lost means Derby won’t roll over, rightly so.

@trevorgillies59: They’ve taken the piss for far too long

@hadersmck: Why do the club get to negotiate their own punishment?

@NFFCJoe: Will still finish above us

@ScottNFFC1865: Suspended points deduction. Bet that makes #SWFC all the happier. One set of rules for one another set for others. @EFL

@alan_avfc1963: I’m staggered that Derby get a choice. I can’t negotiate a speeding fine for example.

@_BourneIdentity: EFL lost big charges brought against club. Won one part on appeal for which independent disciplinary said warranted £100k fine & Derby had to resubmit accounts. Nobody outside EFL or Derby know what latest is. Prob more EFL consultation with Boro on situation than Derby!

@tonydcfc73: EFL signed off DCFC amortisation policy initially,then apologised for mistake, hence why they need to agree a punishment. Accounts have been submitted but need agreeing with EFL for DCFC to know what they need to pay HMRC

@KevinOxford: Amazing how many all of the sudden become accountants, this is very complicated and no doubt Derby will dispute any deduction. Again nothing new in this report.

@Azzbutler: So EFL haven’t got enough evidence to enforce it but both don’t want to go down appeal route again.

@PaulMotto: Fight for a 0 points reduction up to Jan transfer window, end of the day the accounts were signed off by the incompetent @efl. If no compromise, then take a hit as the window will be open & we can sign players. #dcfc

@METwedds: The fact that the EFL are even negotiating our sanction proves they don’t know what they’re doing. They’ve fucked up and are backtracking.

@SelkirkIan: “Agreed sanction”. What right do Derby have to “agree” anything. Or am I reading this wrong? #efljoke #throwthebookatem

@davefinan82: Doesn’t make sense all the leniency they are giving with the same owners, yet when it was us with fans having since taken over; it was take the 30 point deduction or get kicked out the league, no agreements!

@ian7363: Throw the bloody book at them. This is a disgrace and sets a bad precedent for any further actions, or lack of them. @EFL grow a pair and sort it

@dj_zotov: Got to feel for the likes of Bury and Bolton to name but two the way Direby keep fiddling the books!

@deantommo: I’d be happy with a 9point deduction just to end all this, then try stay in the mix till January and try sign players (if we can) to try stay in this league!! #dcfc