Athletic’s appeal fails

Wigan will play in 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 Kongbased 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.

Wigan finished 13th in the Championship 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 searching for a new manager.

An EFL statement confirmed: “The decision of the arbitration panel is final and legally binding.”