EFL under pressure to resolve charges

The English Football League is under renewed pressure from angry Championship clubs to resolve the charges hanging over Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County.

Both clubs face the prospect of points deductions if found guilty of breaking EFL rules. They have appeared in front of separate independent disciplinary commissions and the EFL is awaiting verdicts, with the majority of rivals demanding a resolution by the end of this week.

Wigan Athletic’s appeal against a 12-point deduction for going into administration will be heard on Friday, but at this stage they will be relegated along with Hull City and Charlton Athletic.

A heavy points deduction for Wednesday, who ended the season eight points clear of the bottom three, could have a huge impact on the final relegation places.

Wednesday were charged by the EFL in November with financial misconduct, relating to the sale of their stadium, and are awaiting the outcome of June’s hearing.

Derby’s hearing concluded earlier this month and sources close to the club insist there is no possibility of a verdict this season. Derby were charged with exceeding “excess losses” in a case also linked to their stadium.

Barnsley ensured their survival on the final day by winning at Brentford, stay“i ing up by one point, and the club have been vocal on the lack of action.

Paul Conway, Barnsley’s co-chairman, said: “We want to empower the EFL to make quicker and stricter decisions, [but] much of the blame needs to be put on the clubs themselves. Some may be scared of retribution for speaking out, but I also believe some want to reserve their rights to create their own sketchy deals to attempt to skirt EFL regulations.”

One senior Championship official, who did not want to be named, said: “It’s a disgrace, and Barnsley are spot on when they accuse the EFL of not maintaining integrity. The fact Sheffield Wednesday is unresolved brings the EFL into disrepute.”