West Bromwich Albion have been docked two points by the English Football League for breaking profit and sustainability rules.
The deduction means Albion are now not safe from relegation, having previously thought the midweek win over Watford had secured their second-tier status.
Albion’s Breach of Financial Rules
The Baggies had been charged for exceeding the £39m loss limit for the three seasons to 2024-25, allegations which the club denied.
But during a two-day hearing, an independent club financial review panel (CFRP) found Albion’s losses “did exceed the upper loss threshold” and recommended a two-point penalty.
That leaves Albion in 20th place in the table, six points above the relegation zone with two games to play, needing one more point to seal survival.
They host promotion-chasing Ipswich Town on Saturday before visiting already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season.
Club’s Response and Appeal Option
West Brom have two weeks to appeal against the deduction and should they do so, a decision on said appeal will then not be made for up to 28 days.
While it would take an unlikely set of results to push Albion back into the bottom three, the appeal avenue raises the unwanted scenario that the relegation positions could be decided after the season has finished.
After reports first emerged 10 days ago that the club could face a charge over their accounts for last season, Albion said they had “fully complied” with the EFL’s P&S rules.
In a statement, the club said they stand by that belief.
“The club disagrees with the CFRP’s findings and remains of the view that it has fully complied with the profitability and sustainability rules,” Albion said.
“The decision does not state the amount by which the club is said to have exceeded the upper loss threshold.
“West Bromwich Albion has not been informed of the quantum of the breach, save that this is less than £2million.
“This is therefore the smallest ever breach of the P&S rules across the EFL Championship and the Premier League.”
Championship Clubs Hit with Penalties
- Albion are the third Championship club to be hit with a points penalty this season after Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City.
- The Owls were deducted 18 points for entering administration and financial breaches.
- The Foxes were docked six points for breaching P&S regulations.
Oxford remain favourites to fill the third relegation spot despite Albion’s deduction as the 22nd-placed U’s are six points from safety – they need to win both of their remaining games and hope either the Baggies or Charlton lose both of theirs.
West Bromwich Albion have dropped to 20th place in the Championship table following their two-point penalty.
Under P&S rules, Championship clubs are permitted to lose a maxi