West Brom’s points deduction saga: Fresh timescale update emerges | OneFootball

The Baggies are still awaiting a final decision over an alleged PSR breach from the EFL

West Bromwich Albion have become the latest Championship side immersed in controversy with the EFL, and it has come at the worst possible time from the club's perspective.

Having previously been a club which had, stereotypically, bounced between the Premier League and Championship, the Baggies have only come close to ending their current Premier League exile on one occasion since their last relegation five years ago.

That, of course, came during the 2023/24 season, when Carlos Corberan was able to guide the West Midlands outfit to the play-offs in his only full campaign in charge - a season which also saw Shilen Patel take control of the club from Guochuan Lai, as his consortium, Bilkul Football WBA, completed a £60m takeover in B71.

Despite the optimism which surrounded Patel's takeover at the time, it has been an extremely tumultuous period which has followed, both on the field and off it.

As such, Albion are currently under their third boss of the 2025/26 season, with former midfielder, James Morrison, currently seven Championship games unbeaten, albeit the club's chances of avoiding a first fall into League One are far from secure.

A handful of surprise results in the most recent weekend of second tier action only added to such feelings, whereas now, the relegation battle could be decided by the punishment relating to an alleged breach of PSR regulations from the EFL to West Brom.

Unsurprisingly, much has been made of the situation which, in truth, impacts more than just the Black Country outfit at present, and a new update on developments has now come to the fore.

Fresh update emerges on when West Brom could receive potential points deduction amid Championship relegation dogfight

Whilst Sheffield Wednesday suffered the EFL's earliest-ever relegation in February, largely due to an 18-point deduction, it is still anyone's guess as to who will join the Owls in League One next season.

Leicester City, of course, are also in grave danger of suffering back-to-back relegations, having been hit with a six-point deduction after being found guilty to have breached the same regulations as West Brom back in February, with those charges relating to the Foxes' 2023/24 Championship-winning season.

Albion have been adjudged to have committed a 'minor' breach of the guidelines. It has been reported that the club have lost £55.6m since July 2022, which exceeds the £41.5m loss limit now in place over a three-season period, but I News have also claimed that the exact figure Albion have lost is still unknown at present as money for permitted expenses can be deducted.

Although Alan Nixon previously stated that, according to two sources, the hearing relating to the issue had already taken place, John Percy of the Telegraph has since revealed that it will take place at some point between now and the end of April, albeit the exact date is yet to be confirmed.

West Brom have reiterated the stance that they have complied with the EFL's regulations, almost two years after the governing body imposed a strict financial business plan upon the club, whilst they also intend to impose any fine or points deduction before the end of this season, which officially concludes on June 30th.

If found guilty, it is expected Albion will be deducted two to three points.

West Brom and their relegation rivals will hope for sudden clarity amid points deduction possibilities

At this point, there is only a two-point buffer between the Baggies and Oxford United in the relegation zone, with Portsmouth climbing up to 19th in midweek as a result of their shock victory over Ipswich Town.

Between now and the end of the month, when the hearing is to have taken place by, Albion will have played three of their final four matches against Preston North End, Watford and the Tractor Boys, whilst other matches will also have major ramifications on the dogfight to stay in the Championship, including a mammoth clash between Pompey and Leicester at Fratton Park this weekend.

However, it is still unknown when the result of the hearing will come out, meaning the final outcome of the regular-season table may not be known until after the 46th game, which, for the Baggies, is away to Sheffield Wednesday on May 2nd.