League to appeal over ‘too lenient’ penalty for Bolton

THE EFL will appeal against Bolton Wanderers’ suspended five-point penalty for failing to fulfil two league fixtures, declaring the sanction ‘too lenient’.

The League One side, who began the season on minus 12 points after entering administration, cancelled a Championship game against Brentford at the end of the last season. They also postponed their League One game away at Doncaster Rovers in August.

The club had been fielding a team of young academy players in the preceding games while they waited for their takeover by the Football Ventures group to go through.

However, they backed out of the midweek game against the Yorkshire side, citing concerns over the welfare of the young players. They were referred to an independent disciplinary commission by the Football League (EFL) and the club pleaded guilty to the two charges at a hearing earlier this month.

However, an independent disciplinary commission concluded on Thursday that Wanderers should be penalised two points for the first transgression, which occurred after their relegation from the Championship was confirmed, and three for the second. Fines totalling £70,000 were also announced.

All penalties will only be activated if the club attract similar charges in the next 18 months, but the EFL believe stiffer action should be taken.

Bolton chairman Sharon Brittan responded: “We are naturally very disappointed. We will vehemently defend any appeal.”