EFL confirm that Wigan Athletic face 12-point deduction after going into administration

The governing body has confirmed that the timing of the sporting sanction can only be determined once league placings in the Championship are finalised at the end of 2019-20.

Should Wigan finish in the relegation zone, then the 12-point penalty will apply next season.

If they finish outside of the drop zone, the deduction will be enforced this season.

As it stands, the Latics, the form side in the Championship, are in 14th place and hold an eight-point buffer above the drop zone.

Several Yorkshire sides are in the relegation mix, including Barnsley and Hull City, who both face Wigan before the end of the season, Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough.

Wigan are unbeaten in their past nine games, winning six and have not conceded a goal in their past eight games.

A statement from the EFL read: “As a result of Wigan Athletic confirming they have entered into administration, the Club will be subject to a 12-point deduction and, in accordance with EFL Regulations, the timing of the sporting sanction can only be determined once final league placings in the Championship are determined.

“If in the event the Club is relegated by virtue of their final position following the conclusion of the Championship season, then the deduction will apply in League One in 2020/21. However, if the Club is not in the relegation places following the final game of season, the sanction will be then be applied to their season 2019/20 total and final league standings amended as appropriate.

“The EFL is awaiting formal notification from the Administrators and once the League has received this it will commence discussions with the relevant individuals with the aim of achieving a long-term future for the Club.

Previously, a separate statement said Paul Stanley, Gerald Krasner and Dean Watson from Begbies Traynor had been appointed as joint administrators of the club on Wednesday.

Former Leeds United chairman Krasner said: “Our immediate objectives are to ensure the club completes all its fixtures this season and to urgently find interested parties to save Wigan Athletic FC and the jobs of the people who work for the club.

“Obviously the suspension of the Championship season due to Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the recent fortunes of the club.

“Wigan Athletic has been a focal point and source of pride for the town since 1932 and anyone who is interested in buying this historic sporting institution should contact the joint administrators directly.”

The Latics are 14th in the Championship with six games left to play. The second tier season restarted on June 20.

Wigan were in the Premier League as recently as 2013, winning the FA Cup in the same year.

Wigan dropped down into League One in 2015 but made an immediate return to the Championship.

The club recorded a net loss of £9.2m in their most recent annual accounts for the year ending June 30, 2019.

That was an increase of £1.5m on the previous year.