West Brom have been hit by a two-point deduction after being found to have breached profitability and sustainability rules, leaving the club six points above the Championship relegation zone.
The Baggies had been charged with exceeding the upper loss threshold of £39 million over a three-year period, ending in the 2024/25 season.
West Brom denied the allegations, but have been hit with a two-point deduction after an independent Club Financial Review Panel found the charge to have been proven.
The deduction comes into immediate effect, with West Brom now six points above the relegation zone and requiring a single point from their final two matches to confirm their Championship status for next season.
West Brom are able to appeal the decision within 14 days of receiving the full written reasons, with an appeal heard within 28 days if lodged.
In a statement, West Brom confirmed it was considering its options and would comment further after receiving the full written reasons.
West Brom have been deducted two points over alleged breaches of financial rules
‘At this stage, the CFRP has not published any written reasons for the decision,’ the statement read.
‘The Club disagrees with the CFRP’s findings and remains of the view that it has fully complied with the Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) Rules.
‘The decision does not state the amount by which the Club is said to have exceeded the Upper Loss Threshold. West Bromwich Albion has not been informed of the quantum of the breach, save that this is less than £2million. This is therefore the smallest ever breach of the P&S Rules across the EFL Championship and the Premier League.
‘Proceedings were brought by the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit (CFRU) following a change in the CFRU’s approach to Community Development Expenditure. In 2023/24, the CFRU accepted that the Club was entitled to include in-kind donations of the Club’s facilities, staff time and resources to its official charity partner, The Albion Foundation, in its P&S calculation.
‘Earlier this year, the CFRU informed the club that it had changed its approach and imposed a retrospective adjustment to the Club’s P&S calculation.
‘Without the CFRU changing its approach to the Community Development Expenditure, the Club would not have breached the P&S Rules. The Club will continue to support the great work of The Albion Foundation and its community programmes.
‘West Bromwich Albion has a right of appeal and is considering its options. The Club will provide further comment once it has received the written reasons.
‘For now, we will settle this on the pitch.’
