Wigan relegation to League One confirmed after losing appeal against 12-point deduction
Barnsley remain in Sky Bet Championship
Tuesday 4 August 2020 18:50, UK
Wigan's relegation to Sky Bet League One has been confirmed after the club lost its appeal to a 12-point deduction.
Wigan were handed the deduction for entering administration at the beginning of July, and were relegated by on-field results meaning the sanction applied to the 2019/20 Sky Bet Championship season.
An EFL statement confirmed: "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 decision of the Arbitration panel is final and legally binding."
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.
Barnsley, who finished two points ahead of the Latics in the final standings, would have been relegated to League One if Wigan had succeeded in their appeal.
"The club put forward a strong case and naturally we are disappointed at the decision," Wigan said in a statement.
"The first-team management will now prepare the team for next season's Sky Bet League One campaign.
"No detailed reasoning behind the decision is available yet, but we will post further information at the appropriate time."
Sheffield Wednesday, who finished 16th in the table, have been handed a 12-point deduction for breaking the EFL's profitability and sustainability rules.
The sanction, given out by an independent disciplinary commission, will be applied to next season's Championship table.
Had the Owls' penalty been applied to the 2019/20 season, they would currently be facing relegation to the third tier alongside Wigan and Hull, with 22nd-placed Charlton surviving.
Charlton are considering legal action because they "fail to understand why the deduction will take place next season rather than the current season", saying the decision "seems to be irrational".
Derby are still waiting to find out whether they will be deducted points for allegedly breaching the EFL's profit and sustainability rules.
