DERBY TURMOIL
EFL rush to relegate Rooney’s side for breaking finance rules ++ Rams face big points deduction next season if move fails
The eFl face a race against time for a points deduction to be imposed that would relegate Derby County to league One after the club were found in breach of financial fair play rules.
Sportsmail understands eFl chiefs want the club’s sanction to be resolved with urgency so that any possible points deduction would be applied to this season, relegating Wayne Rooney’s side from the Championship.
however, sources have revealed that Derby — owned by Mel Morris — have provided several procedural reasons as to why the case should be delayed.
It is understood the Rams have also refused to provide information that would allow for previous accounts to be recalculated, a process that could invoke another charge and potential points deduction. so it is likely any punishment handed to Derby would apply to next season. Rooney’s team
survived in dramatic fashion on Saturday when Rotherham conceded a late equaliser at Cardiff, meaning they were relegated instead of the Rams, who drew 3-3 at home to Sheffield Wednesday and stayed up by a point.
Wycombe Wanderers, who finished third-bottom and also went down, are said to be considering legal action in light of this latest development.
MailOnline broke the news yesterday that the EFL had won their appeal to find the Rams in breach of profit and sustainability rules.
Derby avoided a points deduction last August when an independent disciplinary commission cleared them on two charges brought by the EFL.
One of those related to the £81million sale of Pride Park to a company set up by Morris, allowing the club to turn a loss into a profit.
The other — and the charge upon which the EFL have won their appeal — concerns Derby’s valuation of players.
The club did not use the accepted practice of including the depreciation of player assets in their accounts and sources claim this removed losses in excess of £ 30million over a three-year period.
An appeal panel has now found Derby guilty of breaching EFL rules, although their punishment is yet to be determined by an independent commission. The timescale on this remains unclear and sources say it could be that they escape with a fine for the breach of accountancy practice.
However, sources state the second part of the process will involve the restatement of Derby’s books using the correct method of player amortisation.
If it is found their losses are beyond the threshold of £39m over the three- year period allowed within EFL rules, another charge would be brought. This is where the EFL face a race against time.
Some senior figures within the EFL believe the case has been allowed to drag on for too long, especially given Derby were charged in January of last year, not long after Sheffield
Wednesday were charged with financial breaches.
Wednesday were subsequently docked 12 points — reduced to six on appeal — and that proved the difference in relegating them following their draw at Derby on Saturday.
There is a frustration at the EFL and among some of their member clubs that Derby have avoided sanction so far.
There is a precedent in relegating teams after a season has finished. Macclesfield Town were demoted from the EFL last year when they were handed a retrospective points deduction in relation to the payment of player wages.
This latest twist in Derby’s battle against the EFL over Financial Fair Play leaves the future of the club in even greater doubt, with Morris desperate to sell.
Spanish businessman Erik Alonso has agreed a deal to buy the club but has so far been unable to produce funds when asked by the EFL.
The deal includes an initial payment of £2.5m to Morris, followed by £2.5m in 12 months — and taking on debts of more than £40m.
Derby did not reply when contacted for a comment on the EFL case against them.
The EFL said they were not in a position to comment.