Derby could face points deduction this season as EFL reveal stance after appeal win
The EFL has won its appeal against the Rams over breach of Financial Fair Play rules - and they could now see points docked

The EFL say they will press for any sanctions against Derby County "as soon as reasonably possible" after the Championship club were found in breach of spending rules.

Derby were originally charged in January 2020 over allegedly breaching financial rules. Last August an independent disciplinary commission cleared the Rams of any wrongdoing.

The following month, the EFL announced it would appeal against the dismissal of a second charge over how the Rams measured the value of players over the length of a contract. The appeal was specific to the club's policy on "amortisation of intangible assets", an EFL statement explained at the time.

The appeal hearing was held in March by an independent disciplinary commission with the result only coming to light now. Derby could be punished by either a hefty fine or a points deduction. In the case of the latter, it is unclear whether any punishment would be applied to this season or next.

The current Championship 2020/21 campaign does not technically finish until the play-off final, which is slated for May 29.

In a lengthy statement released this afternoon, the EFL say that they "will press for a decision as soon as reasonably possible".

It raises the possibility of County potentially being deducted points for this season - something that could offer a reprieve to Wycombe Wanderers who finished a point behind the Rams in the race for Championship safety.

Derby also issued a statement today, saying: "The club accepts but is disappointed with the League Arbitration Panel's (LAP) conclusion on the one ground that the EFL succeeded on.

"The club and the EFL have agreed that the matter shall now be remitted back to the original Disciplinary Commission (DC) who can determine what, if any, consequences arise from the partial success of the EFL’s Amortisation charge, and the club is therefore currently unable to comment further."

The EFL's statement added that: "Despite media speculation there are no definitive timescale for a determination on sanction though the League will press for a decision as soon as reasonably possible and will provide a further update at the appropriate time."

I would quite literally pi!5s in my pants if Derby were relegated in this fashion.

They'll drag this out to ensure any penalty is imposed next season

Not getting any better for Derby.Former Derby captain Richard Keogh has won a £2m payout after appealing against his dismissal from the club in 2019.

giveusaB wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 5:46 pm

Not getting any better for Derby.Former Derby captain Richard Keogh has won a £2m payout after appealing against his dismissal from the club in 2019.

everyone likes this

This will be an excuse that Rooney will be clinging to.... relegated due to a points deduction.

Can’t see them getting a deduction after the season has ended.

I hate to kick a club when they're down but apparently they're being linked with Shane Duffy now...

You have to feel sorry for Wycombe, they must of had the smallest budget in the Championship EVER (maybe Yeovil), played by all the rules fairly and took it right down to the wire. Yeovil are now in non league, I hope Wycombe recover and come stronger.

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 6:11 pm

Can’t see them getting a deduction after the season has ended.

The season hasn’t ended. Play offs still to be played. This would be hilarious, but unfortunately I can’t see it happening.

Fair point. Their season has though. I think it’s apply next season anyway. Two seasons watching them in a relegation scrap wouldn’t be the worst outcome

Think there's a fair chance that they'll get a deduction, but commencing next season.

The decision has been delayed by the Derby appeal. Relegate them, make my day.

They might have survived by the skin of their teeth this season, but I can see them going down next year points deduction or not.

Their cocky fans have gone rather quiet these days, I remember when they signed Jason Shackell they were all giving it the big I am, well! we know who had the last laugh over that deal.

tiger76 wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 8:15 pm

They might have survived by the skin of their teeth this season, but I can see them going down next year points deduction or not.

Their cocky fans have gone rather quiet these days, I remember when they signed Jason Shackell they were all giving it the big I am, well! we know who had the last laugh over that deal.

Ha ha. The Barnsey and Juke commentary of the famous 4-1 win where Shacks had an absolute mare was comedy gold

Rileybobs wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 6:20 pm

The season hasn’t ended. Play offs still to be played. This would be hilarious, but unfortunately I can’t see it happening.

The league season has ended.

ElectroClaret wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 6:38 pm

Think there's a fair chance that they'll get a deduction, but commencing next season.

If there’s a points deduction I’m sure it will be for next season

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 6:21 pm

Fair point. Their season has though. I think it’s apply next season anyway. Two seasons watching them in a relegation scrap wouldn’t be the worst outcome

If the EFL wanted to get all retrospective about it they could use this ruling to open a case of breaching FFP over a number of years - I don't think they will though

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 8:43 pm

The league season has ended.

Might be wrong but pretty sure the key point about the EFL appeal was that it was completed on Friday prior to the last game of the season.

The Derby forums are suggesting that because the appeal was completed prior to the last game the points deduction could very well be made this season.

Time will tell if that happens.

giveusaB wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 5:46 pm

Not getting any better for Derby.Former Derby captain Richard Keogh has won a £2m payout after appealing against his dismissal from the club in 2019.

one of our best players against Derby, well deserved

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Tue May 11, 2021 8:43 pm

The league season has ended.

that had no bearing on Swindon's relegation in 1990 after they won the playoffs. Its doable if they want it.

The key here will be the date of the successful appeal. If it was before the final round of matches was played and the EFL delayed the announcement until after last Saturday's fixtures were completed then the other affected teams would have a strong case in any court case. The transgressions were prevalent throughout the season just finished and therefore any punishment should also relate to the same season to redress any unfair advantages that had been gained in fairness to the other competing 23 teams.

Whatever the outcome I always find it ridiculous to suggest they may be fined. Points deductions is the only punishment that means anything in football.

Zlatan wrote: ↑

Wed May 12, 2021 7:42 am

that had no bearing on Swindon's relegation in 1990 after they won the playoffs. Its doable if they want it.

All I said was that the league season has ended.

Justice for Wycombe.

If it was the other way round you can imagine the EFL doing everything possible to help Derby by deducting points from Wycombe this season. The EFL will fudge the issue with a token fine and ban, the ban being Rooney not being allowed within a mile of any old folks home.

I really don’t understand the weird obsession and hatred of derby on here. Bizarre.