The points Portsmouth’s relegation rivals West Brom could be deducted amid EFL rules breach allegations

The race for Championship survival is hotting up, with Pompey sitting just one point above the relegation zone.

The relegation battle took a dramatic new twist on Monday, though, with The Telegraph reporting rivals West Brom had breached the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules during the 2024-25 campaign.

As per EFL guidelines, if found guilty, punishments would be dished out the following season, meaning the Baggies are facing the huge threat of a points deduction before the end of the current campaign.

Last term, The Hawthorns outfit reported losses of £17m, taking their total since July 2022 to £55.6m. That exceeds the Football League’s permitted £39m threshold during a three-year period.

After the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit assessed their accounts, West Brom were shown to have breached the financial rules and have 14 days to respond to the charge.

A hearing will take place within 28 days of the compliance report, meaning a punishment could be handed out after the final day of the campaign on May 2.

The points Pompey’s rivals could be deducted after alleged rules breach

West Brom's could become the latest second-tier club to be slapped with a points deduction this term, with Sheffield Wednesday handed separate deductions for falling into administration, while Leicester City were deducted six points in February for breaching the EFL’s financial rules.

The BBC have claimed a 2-3 point penalty would be the sanction if the Blues’ rivals were found guilty after a hearing in the coming weeks.

This would have huge ramifications on the Championship relegation battle, with James Morrison’s men just two points above 22nd-placed Oxford United at present.

Should the EFL enforce the punishment, West Brom would currently fall into the bottom three, dropping below both the U’s and Pompey.

The Baggies face Preston North End this weekend, before taking on Watford, Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday in the run in.

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West Brom statement after EFL charge

Following Monday’s reports, West Brom confirmed in a statement they have ‘fully complied with the P&S rules’ and stressed ‘it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage’.

A statement on social media read: ‘West Bromwich Albion acknowledges media reports relating to the club’s compliance with the EFL’s Profitability & Sustainability (P&S) rules.

‘The club considers that it has fully complied with the P&S rules. The club will continue to co-operate with the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit and looks forward to resolving this matter.

‘Albion understands the concerns of supporters and thanks fans for their unwavering support of the team, whose success on the pitch during the final four games of the season remains our absolute priority.

‘It would not be appropriate for the club to comment further at this stage.’

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