West Brom fan reaction given to 'very disappointing' points deduction news | OneFootball

West Bromwich Albion could be handed a points deduction amid their efforts to stay in the Championship

West Bromwich Albion's chances of achieving Championship survival could be over if they are handed a points deduction.

The Baggies are currently just two points clear of the relegation zone with four games remaining, after holding promotion-chasing Millwall to a 0-0 draw last Friday.

James Morrison's men have enjoyed a seven-game unbeaten run in the Championship, but they have also yielded a mere two victories within that run.

West Brom take on Preston North End this Saturday, and will be vying to claim all three points from their visit to Deepdale.

West Brom left in fear of off-field matters leading to relegation

As revealed by the BBC's Dale Johnson via X, West Brom could be deducted two or three points as a punishment from the EFL for breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR) in relation to their 2024/25 financial accounts.

Relegation rivals Leicester City have already been deducted six points for breaking financial regulations this term, while Sheffield Wednesday have been docked 18 points amid their time in administration.

Football League World asked our West Brom fan pundit, Callum Burgess, how nervous he is about the Baggies' situation and the potential ramifications.

Burgess told FLW: "I think the overriding feeling is definitely one of frustration. I think that, when you look back to the lows of Eric Ramsay's tenure, where Albion had dropped into the relegation zone for the first time, there was an acceptance that we've been terrible this year. If we do get relegated, it's our own fault.

"After the resurgence we've had under James Morrison, where if the difference between staying up and getting relegated is decided by the EFL and there being a points deduction on us, then it's a reflection of the sorry state of modern football when what a team's done on the pitch doesn't seem to matter anymore, and it's just, put simply, decided by accountants in a boardroom."

"I think that it's definitely a frustrating time, especially when you see, in the Premier League, the amount of money that the big teams are allowed to chuck at the wall, but who cares?

"Even if it's a minimal breach, which, to be honest, I'm not the most clued-up on PSR, but it seems that Albion haven't massively exceeded any limits, if we even have broken any rules.

"If that does turn out to be the difference between Albion getting relegated and staying up, then it's very disappointing."

West Brom points deduction would put nail in the coffin of hugely disappointing campaign

West Brom began the season with aspirations of finishing in the Championship play-offs for the second time in just three seasons, but the Black Country outfit are instead staring relegation in the face.

Former boss Ryan Mason, who was appointed at the beginning of the campaign, proved that he wasn't up to the task, and was sacked in January, with the Baggies sitting seven points clear of the drop zone.

Mason was replaced by Ramsay but, as alluded to by Burgess, the ex-Minnesota United boss severely worsened West Brom's relegation worries by failing to win any of his nine games in charge.

Interim head coach Morrison has significantly steadied the ship, but a points deduction could be the difference between suffering relegation to League One and staying in the Championship.