Lincoln City are the story of the season so far, achieving promotion from League One despite being 17th in the budget table.
Staying in the Championship is going to be a massive ask, but it’s a question the club will be ready to answer. Today, news is breaking that perhaps we’re going to have an advantage over one of our second-tier rivals, as a points deduction looms.
Football League World are reporting that West Bromwich Albion are facing a potentially serious setback in the closing stages of this season, with the threat of a points deduction hanging over the club. Their campaign has already been turbulent, with managerial changes failing to steady the ship. Ryan Mason’s spell in charge did not go to plan, and the subsequent appointment of Eric Ramsay proved equally unsuccessful, leaving James Morrison to oversee a difficult run-in. With only a narrow gap separating them from the relegation zone, the timing of this latest issue could hardly be worse.
The problem stems from a breach of EFL financial regulations relating to the club’s 2024-25 accounts, for which they have now been formally charged. Under current rules, any punishment would typically be applied in the following season, meaning this campaign could yet be impacted, and Lincoln City wouldn’t benefit.
However, the club’s hierarchy are reportedly attempting to push any sanction back to 2026-27, which would mean we could begin the campaign three or six points ahead of a team that will be a rival next season. Of course, it might be applied this season, especially as the uncertainty adds further pressure at a time when results are already under scrutiny, and survival in the division remains far from secure.
The Championship often sees points deductions affecting the relegation spots. This season, Sheffield Wednesday are not out of minus points yet, and Leicester City also look like going down after being deducted points. In 2023, Reading and Wigan were both deducted points, and both were relegated. In 2022, it was Derby (relegated) and Reading, while in 2021 it was Sheffield Wednesday, again relegated.
It remains unclear whether the deduction is to be applied this season or next, if indeed one is incoming, but if West Brom were to lose three points, it would put them third from bottom in the Championship, potentially saving Oxford United and Portsmouth from a late relegation battle.
That said, it is believed the breach is ‘minor’ and the deduction likely to be a single point. Relating to accounts just published, sources suggest it is likely to be imposed next season.