Wigan Athletic LOSE appeal against 12-point deduction for entering administration… confirming the Latics’ relegation to League One and Barnsley’s status as Championship club
- Wigan will play League One football next season after losing their appeal
- The Latics entered administration last month and were docked 12 points
- That deduction meant Wigan finished inside the Championship relegation zone
- Today’s verdict also confirms that Barnsley have stayed in the Championship
Wigan Athletic have lost their appeal against their 12-point deduction for entering administration, the EFL confirmed on Tuesday.
It means that following the points deduction, the Latics finished the 2019-20 season inside the Championship relegation zone, and so will play League One football next season.
The verdict also means that Barnsley, following their great escape on the final day of the season, are still a Championship club after finishing one spot outside the relegation zone as a result of Wigan’s point penalty.
Wigan have lost their appeal against their points deduction for entering administration
After drawing to Fulham 1-1 on the final day of the season, Wigan’s relegation is now confirmed
An EFL statement read: ‘An independent Arbitration panel has ruled that Wigan Athletic’s 12-point deduction for entering administration last month will stand after dismissing the Club’s appeal against the sporting sanction.
‘The insolvency event occurred on the 1 July 2020 and under EFL Regulation 12.3, the Club was subject to a 12-point sanction; yet the timing of the deduction could only be determined once the final games of the season had been played.
‘The reason for this approach was due to the administration taking place after the fourth Thursday in March. In such circumstances EFL Regulations state that, in the event a Club is relegated by virtue of their final position following the conclusion of the league campaign, then the deduction would apply in the following season.
‘As the Club was not in the relegation places following the last round of Championship fixtures, the sanction was then applied to their 2019/20 total which resulted in a 23rd placed finish.
‘In cases of insolvency, the panel does not determine the timing of the sanction as it can in independent disciplinary proceedings. The decision of the arbitration panel is final and legally binding.
‘The EFL will continue to engage with the Administrators to provide its full support in all ongoing matters with the aim of achieving a long-term future for the Club.’
Paul Cook quit his role as Wigan manager last week after the club’s relegation to League One
The appeal was held on Friday where, in a five-point statement, it was revealed that one of the administrators, Gerald Krasner, held an hour-long video meeting with Wigan owner Au Yeung Wai Kay as part of their investigation into the club’s situation.
Joint administrators Krasner and Paul Stanley both gave witness statements and were cross-examined by the tribunal.
It was also revealed that ‘detailed talks’ with bidders over the sale of the club were to continue this week – first-team manager Paul Cook quit last week.