Oxford United rival faces Championship points deduction

The Telegraph has reported that West Bromwich Albion are accused of breaching the English Football League’s profit and sustainability regulations.

This reportedly happened last season and so any points deduction must happen this season, in a potential boost to Oxford United’s survival hopes.

Two points currently separate West Brom in 20th and Oxford in 22nd, with both sides having four games remaining to play.

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The U’s boosted their survival hopes on Saturday, April 11, with a 2-0 victory at the Kassam Stadium against Watford while West Brom drew 0-0 at home to Millwall on the same day.

Already, Leicester City, three points behind Oxford in 23rd, have received a points deduction, losing six points for breaching spending rules.

Cameron Brannagan (right) battles with Josh Maja (left) for the ball (Image: Oxford United)

The Foxes were hit with the deduction in February as a punishment for breaching the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules by £20.8 million in a three year period to June 2024.

The club was also found guilty of breaching Premier League rules during their time in the top tier of English football for failing to provide their annual accounts to the league by the specified deadline.

Recommended by an independent commission, last week the penalty was upheld after the club appealed the decision.

According to The Telegraph, West Brom are not thought to have breached the rules significantly, however a points deduction, along with a transfer ban or fine remain a possibility.

In March they reported an operating loss of £17 million although that is not a definitive figure for the profit and sustainability regulations and they have two weeks to respond to the charge.

Matt Bloomfield watches on as Oxford United beat West Bromwich Albion (Image: Oxford United)

In addition, the West Midlands club is reportedly attempting to delay any punishment until next season so that it does not impact a closely-fought relegation battle involving six teams from Charlton Athletic in 18th to Leicester in 23rd.

Sheffield Wednesday, who are bottom in The Championship, have already been relegated.

West Brom’s next match is this Saturday, April 18, away to Preston North End. Meanwhile, Oxford United play away to Derby County on the same day.

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The U’s survival hopes received a major boost over the weekend as Myles Peart-Harris scored in the first half to put the Yellows ahead before a late strike from Mark Harris secured the three points.

Manager Matt Bloomfield said: “It was crucial today, especially considering the magnitude of the situation that we’re in.

“We have to try and maximise every opportunity, but we’re certainly not getting carried away. We’re still below the line.”