There may be a late twist at the bottom of the Championship table with one team facing the prospect of a surprise points deduction. Two of the three clubs occupying the relegation spots have already been docked points since the start of the campaign. Sheffield Wednesday, who are already down, have been deducted a total of 18 points due to their ownership crisis.
Leicester City, meanwhile, were hit with a six-point penalty over a breach of profit and sustainability rules that took place during the 2023/24 season. They remain four points from safety with four games to play and could follow Luton Town in suffering successive relegations down to League One. Now, it has emerged that another team could be docked points in a dramatic twist to the tale.
It’s claimed the Baggies may have breached profit and sustainability rules for last season and are facing the threat of a points deduction, which could put them in serious relegation trouble.
Their alleged breach is not thought to be significant, with only a ‘minor number above loss limits’, but a points deduction, transfer ban or fine could be handed down if they are found guilty.
If they are docked the same number of points as Leicester, it would leave them second-from-bottom and five points away from safety.
However, the report adds that club chiefs are trying to delay any potential sanction until next season, rather than the current campaign.
They are currently on a seven-game unbeaten run and sit two points ahead of Oxford United, who occupy the final relegation place as things stand.
At the other end of the table, Coventry City are all but promoted to the Premier League despite being held to a draw by Sheffield Wednesday over the weekend.
They are 12 points clear of third place with four games left to play, with the added benefit of a huge goal difference advantage over Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday.
Ipswich Town look likely to join the Sky Blues in gaining automatic promotion following their victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road.
They are second in the table with two games in hand on the teams around them, leaving them firmly on course to seal an immediate return to the Premier League.
