Wigan consigned to League One after points deduction is upheld
WIGAN will play in Sky Bet League One next season after failing in their appeal to get a 12-point deduction for going into administration overturned.
The Latics went into administration on July 1 when their new Hong Kong-based owners, the Next Leader Fund, said they could not support the club financially and their relegation from the Championship — due to the points deduction — was confirmed yesterday.
It means Barnsley have been given a reprieve and will continue on in the Championship.
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. The decision of the arbitration panel is final and legally binding.
“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.”
Wigan finished 13th after losing just one of their final 15 games, winning eight. But the decision will see them finish 23rd after boss Paul Cook quit last week, with the Latics now searching for a new manager.
“The club put forward a strong case and naturally we are disappointed,” a Wigan statement read. “The management will now prepare the team for next season’s League One campaign.”
MANCHESTER United are in no rush to complete transfer business early, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, despite negotiations for Jadon Sancho reaching an advanced stage.
Sancho could become a United player by the end of this week after positive developments in negotiations between the Old Trafford club and Borussia Dortmund.
United are yet to agree on the structure of a deal which is likely to meet Dortmund’s €120m (£108m) asking price through various add-ons and incentives.
The Bundesliga club are understood to have set a deadline of August 10 for a bid to be tabled, with the Dortmund hierarchy eager to find a replacement for Sancho during the current window. United have moved quickly on their priority transfer