Coronavirus has, as expected, hit clubs harder than they could possibly foresee. Wages to pay and no matchday income was always going to be a disastrous duo. In the financial cesspit of the Championship, the likelihood of a club entering administration felt like more of an eventuality than a possibility.
For Wigan Athletic, the dreaded ‘A-word’ has been announced and their Championship status – something they’ve worked miraculously hard to all-but-secure this season – is, once again, under threat.
Writing as a Luton Town fan, my football baptism consisted of points deductions and consequent relegations. First, 10 points in League One. At the time, that seemed unjust. Little did I know of what was looming. The season after, Luton were hit with the biggest points deduction in the history of English football. 30 points. Despite being consigned to relegation to Non-League, I watched a Luton team fight for their Football League status with every breath.
Ironically, in one of the darkest season’s in my club’s history, hope glimmered in one of our proudest moments as a club. The team deducted 30 points made the 30-mile journey to Wembley in what was then the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final. As we won it, with relegation to be confirmed eight days later, it felt like a final hurrah. A poignant reminder to the governing body that we would return. It was a matter of when, not if.
It resonates now, as it did then, that the EFL is a heartless beast. Time and time again, it has failed the clubs which it was built to support. More recent examples include the tragic stories of Bolton Wanderers and Bury – enraging fans to demand genuine ‘fit and proper’ tests are implemented on proposed owners. Most fans up and down the country will be able to recite a story of an unfit owner deemed worthy by football’s governing body.
In an alternate universe, I could be rejoicing at the boost to my club’s own Championship survival hopes due to Wigan’s 12-point deduction. Like many, I cannot see them finishing in the bottom three, which would ensure their deduction is upheld this season – as opposed to being instated next term. Yet for Wigan, I share their pain.
For Wigan Athletic, the dreaded ‘A-word’ has been announced and their Championship status – something they’ve worked miraculously hard to all-but-secure this season – is, once again, under threat.
Writing as a Luton Town fan, my football baptism consisted of points deductions and consequent relegations. First, 10 points in League One. At the time, that seemed unjust. Little did I know of what was looming. The season after, Luton were hit with the biggest points deduction in the history of English football. 30 points. Despite being consigned to relegation to Non-League, I watched a Luton team fight for their Football League status with every breath.
Ironically, in one of the darkest season’s in my club’s history, hope glimmered in one of our proudest moments as a club. The team deducted 30 points made the 30-mile journey to Wembley in what was then the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final. As we won it, with relegation to be confirmed eight days later, it felt like a final hurrah. A poignant reminder to the governing body that we would return. It was a matter of when, not if.
It resonates now, as it did then, that the EFL is a heartless beast. Time and time again, it has failed the clubs which it was built to support. More recent examples include the tragic stories of Bolton Wanderers and Bury – enraging fans to demand genuine ‘fit and proper’ tests are implemented on proposed owners. Most fans up and down the country will be able to recite a story of an unfit owner deemed worthy by football’s governing body.
In an alternate universe, I could be rejoicing at the boost to my club’s own Championship survival hopes due to Wigan’s 12-point deduction. Like many, I cannot see them finishing in the bottom three, which would ensure their deduction is upheld this season – as opposed to being instated next term. Yet for Wigan, I share their pain.
Despite losing only 16 of their 46 matches in League Two in 2008/09 (accruing enough points to finish 15) Luton were relegated from the football league with just 26 points to their name.
A ray of hope flickers for Wigan, who can appeal the deduction under the ‘Force Majeure’ rule. According to the EFL, in unforeseeable and unavoidable circumstances, clubs will not be deducted points as a result of administration. Coronavirus and the inescapable hit to income seems, to me, the textbook usage of such a rule.
The Championship relegation battle this season, as ever, has been a rollercoaster ride. On New Year’s Eve, Wigan footed the table on 20 points; one point from safety but eight points 20th and what seemed real safety. As of July 1, however, the Latics are 14th – eight points clear of the drop zone and 10 points above the bottom side (my beloved Luton). Losing just once since January 1, no team has picked up more points than Wigan in 2020. Their quest for survival has been magnificent, truly exemplified by their post-lockdown form. Scoring seven without reply, Paul Cook’s team have picked up maximum points in their last three games.
Were Wigan’s 12-point deduction to be enforced immediately, many would still back the Greater Manchester side to avoid relegation – due to their incredible turnaround. However, the complexity of their punishment serves to illustrate the harsh, unforgiving attitude of the EFL. If Wigan, as expected, finish the season outside of the bottom three, then their deduction will stand in the 2019/20 campaign.
Yet, if Wigan fail to escape the drop on footballing terms, their deduction will be enforced next season in League One. It is clear that the EFL are sending a message. Wigan will be punished; their points deduction will have significant meaning. Wigan will need to be 13 points (to avoid goal difference coming in to play) clear of 22nd to ensure survival this season, a much greater ask than the one point they would’ve taken in the pre-pandemic world.
This story has a familiar feel, as if we all know the ending. Perhaps because we have seen it before. The EFL punished Bury, expelling the club from the Football League. The fans suffered whilst their club was torn apart. Likewise, the EFL punished Luton, effectively expelling the club from the Football League. Once more, fans suffered whilst the club was being torn apart. It is always us, the fans, who are on the receiving end of a significant blow.
The Championship relegation battle this season, as ever, has been a rollercoaster ride. On New Year’s Eve, Wigan footed the table on 20 points; one point from safety but eight points 20th and what seemed real safety. As of July 1, however, the Latics are 14th – eight points clear of the drop zone and 10 points above the bottom side (my beloved Luton). Losing just once since January 1, no team has picked up more points than Wigan in 2020. Their quest for survival has been magnificent, truly exemplified by their post-lockdown form. Scoring seven without reply, Paul Cook’s team have picked up maximum points in their last three games.
Were Wigan’s 12-point deduction to be enforced immediately, many would still back the Greater Manchester side to avoid relegation – due to their incredible turnaround. However, the complexity of their punishment serves to illustrate the harsh, unforgiving attitude of the EFL. If Wigan, as expected, finish the season outside of the bottom three, then their deduction will stand in the 2019/20 campaign.
Yet, if Wigan fail to escape the drop on footballing terms, their deduction will be enforced next season in League One. It is clear that the EFL are sending a message. Wigan will be punished; their points deduction will have significant meaning. Wigan will need to be 13 points (to avoid goal difference coming in to play) clear of 22nd to ensure survival this season, a much greater ask than the one point they would’ve taken in the pre-pandemic world.
This story has a familiar feel, as if we all know the ending. Perhaps because we have seen it before. The EFL punished Bury, expelling the club from the Football League. The fans suffered whilst their club was torn apart. Likewise, the EFL punished Luton, effectively expelling the club from the Football League. Once more, fans suffered whilst the club was being torn apart. It is always us, the fans, who are on the receiving end of a significant blow.
Wigan have scored the joint-lowest number of goals in the Championship this season, but their impressive defensive form of late (having not conceded a goal since February 15) puts them in 14th position.
Of course, financial mismanagement should be punished. It still feels ridiculous that clubs can make a loss of £35 million in three years and this not be considered reckless or irresponsible. Furthermore, a points deduction does seem to be the only real way of punishing a club who have broken Financial Fair Play rules.
In theory, the flouting of these rules should lead to a better team on the pitch – leading to a higher league position and points tally than that which would be fair and legal. In reality, this is not always the case. More often than not, a club making significant losses mysteriously concludes with an owner having a somewhat healthier line in his own pocket.
Points deductions are not the issue. In fact, they are probably the fairest solution. It is the scatter gun approach by the EFL as to which clubs are punished wherein lies the real issue. Earlier this season, the EFL won an appeal against another Championship side – Birmingham City – over financial mismanagement. Birmingham’s reprimand: a slap on the wrist.
Wigan fans would have been joyous as football returned, and rightly so. Their survival chances have improved game after game, leading some to question whether they were still embroiled in the relegation dogfight consuming the Championship’s bottom half. Now, they are effectively bottom with six games to play. Should they falter and finish in the bottom three, then they will begin next season bottom of League One with a 12-point handicap.
The EFL are actively seeking to guarantee Wigan Athletic’s punishment is meaningful. Going out of their way to kick them whilst they’re down. And as any Luton Town fan will tell you, it’s not the first time the EFL have taken that approach. Unfortunately, I highly doubt it will be the last, too.
In theory, the flouting of these rules should lead to a better team on the pitch – leading to a higher league position and points tally than that which would be fair and legal. In reality, this is not always the case. More often than not, a club making significant losses mysteriously concludes with an owner having a somewhat healthier line in his own pocket.
Points deductions are not the issue. In fact, they are probably the fairest solution. It is the scatter gun approach by the EFL as to which clubs are punished wherein lies the real issue. Earlier this season, the EFL won an appeal against another Championship side – Birmingham City – over financial mismanagement. Birmingham’s reprimand: a slap on the wrist.
Wigan fans would have been joyous as football returned, and rightly so. Their survival chances have improved game after game, leading some to question whether they were still embroiled in the relegation dogfight consuming the Championship’s bottom half. Now, they are effectively bottom with six games to play. Should they falter and finish in the bottom three, then they will begin next season bottom of League One with a 12-point handicap.
The EFL are actively seeking to guarantee Wigan Athletic’s punishment is meaningful. Going out of their way to kick them whilst they’re down. And as any Luton Town fan will tell you, it’s not the first time the EFL have taken that approach. Unfortunately, I highly doubt it will be the last, too.
Written by - James McEvoy
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back