Wigan Athletic enter administration

Wigan Athletic reveal they enter into administration, becoming the first English professional club to do so since the coronavirus pandemic.

The club, like many, have been struggling to control their finances and have been left with no choice but to take action to try to safeguard their future.

The move could potentially see the Championship side handed a points deduction.

Paul Stanley, Gerald Krasner and Dean Watson of Begbies Traynor have been appointed as joint administrators.

Stanley said: “We understand that everybody connected with the club and the wider football world is seeking clarity on the future of Wigan Athletic.

“That’s exactly what we are seeking to provide as we move through this process and we seek out interested parties to rescue this famous old club here in the region.

“It is a fast-moving situation and we will provide updates on key developments.”

Krasner, former Leeds chairman, and now partnerned at Begbies Traynor, added: “Our immediate objectives are to ensure the club completes all its fixtures this season and to urgently find interested parties to save Wigan Athletic FC and the jobs of the people who work for the club.

“Obviously the suspension of the Championship season due to Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the recent fortunes of the club.

“Wigan Athletic has been a focal point and source of pride for the town since 1932 and anyone who is interested in buying this historic sporting institution should contact the joint administrators directly.”

Until 2018, Wigan was owned by Dave Whelan, who guided the Latics from the fourth tier of English football to the Premier League, whilst also winning the FA Cup in 2013.

Whelan sold the club to Hong Kong-based International Entertainment Corporation in November 2018.

Wigan have won all three of their league games since the Championship season restarted on the 20th of June.

Paul Cook’s side took all three points after beating Stoke 3-0 at the DW Stadium on Tuesday night – placing them 14th in the table, eight points above the relegation zone.

The standard points deduction for an English Football League club entering administration is 12 points and, should that penalty be applied this season, it would drop them to the foot of the table, four points from safety with six matches left to play.

The EFL stated this afternoon: “As a result of Wigan Athletic confirming they have entered into administration, the Club will be subject to a 12-point deduction and, in accordance with EFL Regulations, the timing of the sporting sanction can only be determined once final league placings in the Championship are determined.

“If in the event the Club is relegated by virtue of their final position following the conclusion of the Championship season, then the deduction will apply in League One in 2020/21. However, if the Club is not in the relegation places following the final game of season, the sanction will be then be applied to their season 2019/20 total and final league standings amended as appropriate.

“The EFL is awaiting formal notification from the Administrators and once the League has received this it will commence discussions with the relevant individuals with the aim of achieving a long-term future for the Club.”

Fans reacted after reading that Wigan Athletic enter administration…

This man can save them single handedly surely pic.twitter.com/4IBaEr9oep

— Jack Endean (@jackendean11) July 1, 2020

Your whole club is terrified

— Richie46 (@Richie469) July 1, 2020

Sure , if you’ll take on the millions of debt.

— Declan Morrow (@DeclanMorrow) July 1, 2020

Not laughing now are they ?????????

— Ben (@benbwfc_) July 1, 2020

Total difference in what’s happened tho but was only bought in June what the fuck….

— Sam Wipeout (@SamWipeout) July 1, 2020

How awful! Don’t care which club it is, feel so sorry for everyone concerned!

— Jayne (@007_jayne) July 1, 2020

Four weeks after we were taken over, Wigan Athletic have entered administration.

Congratulations once more to the @EFL – fit and proper persons test working well again! #wafc

— Wigan Athletic (@WiganFanPage) July 1, 2020

Think you might find when #bwfc were in admin it was #wafc fans were the ones laughing and cracking the jokes #karma

— StePoole (@pooles7573) July 1, 2020

Exactly this, anyone who laughs at this is no football fan, even if they laughed at us. Whats football without rivalry?

— Nayan (@nayanp84) July 1, 2020

Not something to laugh about. BWFC have been there and it’s awful.

— Roy Warburton (@WarburtonRoy) July 1, 2020

Bolton announce a new manager & Wigan go into administration, what a beautiful day it’s turning out to be.

— Andy Gaskell (@ParadiseSoul01) July 1, 2020

Hope they get sorted

— ⚽Josh Hodgins Bwfc⚽⚽?????????????? (@JoshHodgins98) July 1, 2020

Really sad news, sure this won’t be the last EFL club to go under ?

— Kev Anthony (@budgiek) July 1, 2020

People really laughing at this ffs – imagine this was your club.

— Aidan Walsh ? (@AidanWalshMUFC) July 1, 2020

This is so sad. Wigan under Martinez were always fun to watch. Hope they get saved ?

— Phil Matthews ? (@_philipmatthews) July 1, 2020