Rams confirm EFL charges have been dismissed

Action from Luton's 3-2 win over Derby at Kenilworth Road last season

Luton's Championship rivals Derby County Football Club have confirmed that both of the EFL charges they were facing have been dismissed by an independent disciplinary commission.

The Rams were charged in January with alleged breaches of the League's profit and sustainability regulations relating to the club's sale of Pride Park Stadium to owner Mel Morris.

They had faced a possible points' deduction, similar to that handed out to Sheffield Wednesday, transfer embargo or fine if found guilty of recording 'excess losses' over the amount permitted for the three-year period ending June 30, 2018.

However, a statement on the Derby website this afternoon said: "The club strongly contested the challenge to the valuation of Pride Park Stadium, as well as the newly notified charge in respect of intangible fixed asset amortisation and has been consistent relating to this matter from the outset.

"The charges held up against the club were put to an independent disciplinary commission.

"The outcome was as follows: Charge one was dismissed.

"Charge two was also dismissed, save for, the commission found the wording of the amortisation policy in its financial statements could have been clearer.

"Derby County is delighted at the outcome and will, at this stage, not make any further comment relating to the matter and the full focus of everyone at the club is now on preparations for the upcoming 2020/21 season."

On hearing the news, the EFL stated: "In January 2020, following a review of Derby County’s Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) submissions, the EFL charged the club for recording losses in excess of the permitted amounts provided for in EFL Regulations for the three-year period ending 30 June 2018.

"An independent disciplinary commission has dismissed the charge brought against the Club in respect of the valuation associated with the sale of Pride Park in 2018.

"A second charge relating to the Club’s policy regarding the amortisation of intangible assets was found proven only in respect of the Club’s failure to properly disclose a change in policy in 2015.

"The Commission found that the Club’s approach to amortisation did not break financial reporting standard FRS 102.

"The EFL notes the decision of the Commission and will now consider the judgment in full before commenting further.

"Both parties have 14 days to appeal."