West Bromwich Albion have been deducted two points with immediate effect after being found in breach of the English Football League’s (EFL) financial rules, intensifying their relegation battle with just two Championship matches remaining.
The punishment relates to an alleged breach of the £39m loss limit over the three years to the end of the 2024-25 season. The EFL’s independent Club Financial Review Panel (CFRP) ruled that the club’s losses breached profitability and sustainability (P&S) rules. West Brom now sit on 50 points, six clear of third-bottom Oxford United.
The club denied the allegations and said it was considering an appeal. “The club disagrees with the CFRP’s findings and remains of the view that it has fully complied with the profitability and sustainability rules,” a statement read, adding: “For now, we will settle this on the pitch.”
West Brom expressed surprise at the speed of the verdict, which was announced shortly after the hearing concluded on Thursday, and noted that no written reasons were provided. The club also revealed it had not been informed of the exact size of the breach, except that it was less than £2m – described as the smallest ever breach of P&S rules in the EFL or Premier League.
The club attributed the breach to a change in EFL rules regarding how community project expenditure is treated. Any appeal must be lodged within 28 days of the decision.
