West Brom points deduction news: EFL charge, statement issued, £1m over the limit claim | OneFootball

All the latest news surrounding the alleged PSR breach by West Brom

West Brom are at risk of relegation to League One this season under James Morrison.

The 39-year-old took charge of the team until the end of the campaign in February following Eric Ramsay’s 44-day reign in the dugout came to an end.

The Baggies are two points clear of the relegation zone with just four games remaining, with the club in danger of sliding out of the Championship.

Albion haven’t been outside of the top two divisions in English football since 1993, and the looming threat of a points deduction could be what makes the difference between staying up and going down.

Relegation rivals Leicester City have already been docked six points by the EFL for breaching profit and sustainability rules (PSR), which has put them inside the bottom three.

Here we look at all the latest news surrounding a potential points deduction at West Brom…

West Brom’s alleged PSR breach

West Brom are at risk of suffering a points deduction after the club were charged by the EFL for an alleged breach of PSR.

It has been reported by The Telegraph that the charge comes from last season’s accounts, but that any deduction could be implemented in this campaign.

With how close the relegation battle is at the bottom of the Championship table, this could prove massively important in determining the Baggies’ league status.

It’s believed to be a minor charge, but it could still lead to a deduction of points, although no timeframe has been given on when a decision will be made.

West Brom respond to EFL charges

West Brom have issued their response to the charge that they have breached the EFL’s PSR, claiming that they have in fact adhered to the rules.

While they fully intend to co-operate with the league in their investigation into the matter, they are firm in their belief that they are innocent and will not be charged with any punishment.

“West Bromwich Albion acknowledges media reports relating to the club’s compliance with the EFL’s Profitability & Sustainability rules,” wrote the club, via their official website.

“The club considers that it has fully complied with the P&S rules.

“The club will continue to co-operate with the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit and looks forward to resolving this matter.

“Albion understands the concerns of supporters and thanks fans for their unwavering support of the team, whose success on the pitch during the final four games of the season remains our absolute priority.

“It would not be appropriate for the club to comment further at this stage.”

Football finance expert makes £1m over the limit claim

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has claimed that the breach by West Brom is likely to be very minor, suggesting that they are around £1 million over the limit at most.

He believes this will lead to a minor punishment, and they won’t be docked as many points as Leicester were, if they are found guilty.

"I did my calculations, and I don't have intricate data, and I got the impression Albion were perhaps no more than £1 million over the limit," said Maguire, via the BBC.

"Albion have been working hand-in-hand with the EFL, they've had to comply with a business plan so that might be seen as co-operating, but strictly if you are over the limit, then there has to be [referral to a] commission.

"But there's a separate issue in that we are almost at the end of the season and it's not fair on Albion, and it's not fair on the other clubs that are in the relegation dog fight as well.

"A: whether there is going to be a charge. B: whether they are innocent or guilty. C: whether the tariffs are going to be applied before the end of the season.

"I think a lot of these unknowns are creating a lot of stress and distress for clubs and fans and owners and everyone connected."

He believes that an error was made by someone by the scenes at West Brom when calculating their figures, and that there was no grand conspiracy by the club to overspend on the league’s limits.

It has also been reported by the BBC that any docked points could amount to just two or three in comparison to the Foxes.

Other potential punishments emerge

A points deduction is not the only punishment available to the EFL if West Brom are indeed found guilty of breaching PSR.

While a points deduction has been a common tool used by the league, as well as the Premier League, the Mirror claims that there are two other options at their disposal.

It’s believed that a transfer ban and a fine are also on the table, provided the Baggies are found guilty and are unsuccessful in any possible appeal.

Leicester were deducted six points this season, as were Sheffield Wednesday, while Everton and Nottingham Forest both received eight and four points deduction penalties, respectively, during the 2023/24 top flight campaign.