Barnsley threaten legal action if rival clubs not punished this season

BARNSLEY chairman Paul Conway says that the club will consider legal action if they are relegated in 2019-20 and clubs found guilty of breaching EFL sanctions are allowed to start next season on minus points.

The Reds are among several Championship clubs – including fellow strugglers Luton – who believe that any rivals who are found guilty of breaking Profit and Sustainability rules should be punished for the offences this season and not in 2020-21.

Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County have existing charges hanging over them, while Birmingham City could be hit with a points deduction if they are found guilty of failing to adhere to an EFL business plan.

Wednesday have been locked in a dispute with the EFL since last November after they were charged with breaching Profitability and Sustainability rules, and their case is set to be heard before an independent disciplinary commission this summer.

The Hillsborough club have strenuously denied financial misconduct but could face severe punishment if found guilty, with the possible sanctions ranging from a heavy points deduction to a transfer embargo or fine.

The Owls are nine points above the relegation zone and Blues hold an eight-point buffer.

Conway said: “People seem to think little old Barnsley will follow the rules and not make a fuss.

“If we’ve been wronged as a result of the league not following its own rules, then it stands to reason that we’d go against the league and its TV money and ask them to pay us the difference in revenue.

“We think that’s fair and we hope it will benefit other clubs who follow the rules and try to develop young talent.

“I’m an American and in American sports, we selfregulate — if someone breaks the rules, they are cheating the rest of us and we take action.

“We went through this two years ago, when we were five minutes from staying up on the last day only for Bolton to win and go above us. Everyone knew they were cheating the system and were hundreds of millions in debt.”

Barnsley majority shareholders Pacific Media Group (PMG) have completed a deal to take over struggling Belgian First Division A club KV Ostende.