EFL confirm Wigan to be deducted 12 points - as long as Latics appeal is unsuccessful

The EFL have confirmed that Luton Town’s fellow relegation strugglers Wigan Athletic will have their 12-point deduction handed out after Wednesday night’s clash final round of Championship matches - providing the Latics appeal against the decision, due to be heard before July 27, isn't upheld.

Paul Cook's side, who have been in superb form before and after the campaign was postponed due to the coronavirus, entered administration earlier this month, which carries a 12-point penalty.

Ahead of their game at home to promotion-chasing Fulham tomorrow, Wigan are in 13th place, on 58 points, with the deduction dropping them down to third bottom on 46, which would then lift Luton, on 48, out of the drop zone.

It means that a win for Town would guarantee their second tier status, as long as the appeal fails, which was launched on July 7, with administrator Gerald Krasner claiming 'force majeure', an event usually defined as certain acts, events or circumstances beyond the control of the involved parties, such as natural disasters, war or a pandemic.

The EFL have since stated they 'fundamentally disagree' with this reasoning, and in another statement released yesterday, said: "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.”

It doesn't end there though, with the relegation picture possibly becoming even murkier due to cases concerning Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County.

The Owls, in 16th place on 56 points, are facing an EFL misconduct charge handed out last November, which centres on circumstances surrounding the sale of their Hillsborough stadium, and is now being heard by an independent disciplinary commission.

Meanwhile, the Rams in 12th on 61 points, were charged in January over alleged breaches of financial rules following a review of the club's Profitability and Sustainability submissions.

Any significant points deduction for either side could see them drop into the bottom three, but this now won't be resolved until the season has finished as the EFL statement added: “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 22nd, 23rd and 24th positions in the Championship table following the conclusion of those matches and will be subject to the resolution of any ongoing proceedings.

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