Report claims Wigan and Sheffield Wednesday will avoid relegation

A report claims Wigan and Sheffield Wednesday will avoid relegation with points deductions to be imposed by the EFL next season.

We are yet to find out a confirmed verdict from both cases, these for a tense and frustrating end to the 2019/20 Championship season, however the two clubs would have the right of appeal if found guilty.

Barnsley, Luton, Charlton, Birmingham and Middlesbrough are all fighting to avoid the drop into League One. Hull look doomed to be relegated, but could still avoid the drop by performing a miracle in beating Cardiff and other results go their way.

Wigan are facing the prospect of being docked 12 points for going into administration, Sheffield Wednesday could lose a maximum of 21 points after being accused of an aggravated breach of the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules, punishments which if applied immediately would see them place into the relegation zone.

Both clubs will no doubt choose to appeal should they be handed such sanctions, and because of how long it takes to complete the disciplinary proceedings, it is unlikely the process would be completed before the start of next season.

We should get a better idea of who will be relegated on Wednesday night, though, the Championship season doesn’t end until the play-off final on the 4th of August, and it’s only a week after then in which clubs then formally transfer divisions.

The EFL have already confirmed that those three clubs in the Championship drop zone on Wednesday evening will be relegated subject to other on-going disciplinary proceedings, but there is little prospect they will be completed by the mid-August deadline.

Championship chief Paul Conway threatens to sue the EFL if three clubs aren’t deducted points this season because of FFP.

The Barnsley co-owner suggests to the Athletic that his club will take legal action if the EFL chose to enforce the punishment next season instead.

The Tykes are believed to be ‘one of several clubs’ keeping a close eye on how the situation of Derby County, Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday.

Their argument is that could change if an independent panel decides to deduct points from the Latics, Blues, Rams and Owls.

The EFL have charged Derby and Sheffield Wednesday for allegedly breaching Profitability & Sustainability regulations – with the cases set to be heard later this year. They deny the allegations.

Birmingham City had initially been cleared for failing to implement an agreed business plan – however the league decided to appeal that decision, which they won, however the Blues will not get deducted points.

However, minutes after the Daily Mail story came out, the English Football League made one of their own, causing more confusion with fans on social media.

To clarity, the Mail claiming that the appeal process will ensure that any points deductions not enforced on Wigan and Sheffield Wednesday this season.

@MattHughesDM said appeal processes would last until mid-August. When in fact, Wigan’s appeal process finishes 27th July. It’s 21 days completion date from when they file the appeal (which they did on 6th July).

They have a point regarding Wednesday – it’s completely unknwon how long the panel will take on their situation. But they will have had a few weeks to hear the Wigan appeal and are expected to make a decision quicker on that.

THE EFL’S LATEST STATEMENT:

The League continues to receive questions on a regular basis in respect of updates to ongoing proceedings involving the EFL and its member Clubs.

We recognise the desire amongst stakeholders, not least from our own members, but also their respective supporters and representatives of the media, for clarity on the current position.

At the point a Club is charged with misconduct, it is referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission and from that point onwards, the format and timing of the proceedings are controlled by that of the Independent Commission. Our stated position and the policy agreed with our Clubs is that we do not pass any comment on these individual matters, other than to confirm the charges at the outset and the subsequent outcomes. 

The EFL is committed to announcing any final outcome promptly following notification of the decision by the relevant Independent Disciplinary Commission, giving consideration to the issues raised above and in accordance with its regulations.

Independent Disciplinary Commissions are well aware of the challenges for any Club that is subject to proceedings, and the need for clarity for financial and operational planning purposes, particularly ahead of the summer transfer window opening later this month.  In addition, there is also the consequential impact to consider on how any decisions may affect other Clubs within a division who require the same courtesy to plan with as much certainty as is practically possible.

Equally, there are the operational pressures this presents the EFL, in areas such as fixture scheduling in the event any decision(s) change a divisional line-up.  In the specific case of Wednesday evening’s final round of Championship matches for season 2019/20, and any potential impact on divisional standings, relegation will be confirmed for the Clubs in 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th positions in the Championship table following the conclusion of those matches and will be subject to the resolution of any ongoing proceedings.  In the case of Wigan Athletic the 12-point sporting sanction, as a result of the Club entering administration, will apply immediately following the end of the game against Fulham but is subject to appeal.

Nevertheless, the primary objective of any Independent Disciplinary Commission is to deal with cases expeditiously and fairly.

We will be providing no further comment on any ongoing proceedings at this time.

Fans reacted to the EFL’s statement and on a report which claims Wigan and Sheffield Wednesday will avoid relegation…

“Sheffield Wednesday – following their promotion to the Premier League – will face a 12 point deduction ahead of the 2030/2031 season following a decision by the Independent Disciplinary Commission relating to a charge 10 years ago.”

What a mess you lot are.— Andy Chandler (@GSYAddick) July 20, 2020

It’s taken you this long to finally communicate & what you’ve said we already know! You didn’t previously work for Charlton under a mad Belgian did you? You’re a disgrace of an organisation. The EFL must be disbanded ASAP & a new League entity introduced with legal sanction power

— Matt Taylor (@llezx3addick) July 20, 2020

If Wigan receive a deduction this season but Sheffield Wednesday only get one next season – despite being charged months before us – and stay up at our expense despite having fewer points than us…

I hope our administrators take you to court and bring the whole EFL down.

— Tics Talk ?? (@TicsTalk) July 20, 2020

They’ve taken all this time. Theyve been investigating us for the last 6 months and fuck all comes out from them. What do they do?? What is the point in having an efl panel?

— Adam Woodsford (@adamwoodsford94) July 20, 2020

Taken all this time and you still don’t address any other clubs? Cowards.

— Sam Penman (@SamPenman88) July 20, 2020

Seem to recall you couldn’t wait to deduct our points, and told us we had no right of apeal. Making it up as you go!

— Mark Ward (@NewportHatter) July 20, 2020

Not fit for purpose

— JP (@treeandcrown) July 20, 2020

Football.

Making it up as they go along (since Feb 2020)

— #WFGFH aka DMO (@DeeEmOh) July 20, 2020

Feel for Wigan and there fans. But as for Sheffield Wednesday what a fucking joke

— Adam Woodsford (@adamwoodsford94) July 20, 2020

They did it to us last year for breaching FPP. Then told us to sell our best player at half the price he was worth in January, then punished us again for selling him for double which got thrown out then they appealed to do us again. They are an awful mess of an organisation

— DaveKRO (@KroDave) July 20, 2020

If they go down, its because they’ve been shit. Dont think they have a basis to sue the EFL

— G-WBA (@LocalBaggiesFan) July 20, 2020

Maybe all clubs should get in on the class action and get rid of the EFL.

— SportyWigan (@SportyWigan) July 20, 2020