West Brom have been handed an immediate two-point deduction for a breach of EFL financial rules, which means they are no longer safe from relegation.
The Baggies have dropped from 18th place with 52 points to 20th place on 50 points, putting them six points above the drop zone with two games to play.
It means West Brom need just a point from their last two matches to secure their Championship status.
Saturday 25th April 11:00am
Kick off 12:30pm
James Morrison’s side host second-place Ipswich Town on Saturday at 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports, with their final game of the season at already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday on May 2.
West Brom have a superior goal difference to Oxford United, who occupy the final relegation spot, with the Baggies six goals better off than The U’s.
Matt Bloomfield’s side’s last two games are against bottom-side Sheffield Wednesday at home, while they go to promotion-chasing Millwall on the final day.
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The Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast looks ahead to West Brom vs Ipswich
Why have West Brom been given points deduction?
Sky Sports News understands the key point of disagreement between the EFL and West Brom was how the interest payments on loans taken out by the previous owner should be categorised.
Bilkul, the new owners, have paid around £5m in interest over the accounting period for a loan worth over £20m taken out by former owner Guochuan Lai, and they felt strongly that these payments fall to the ownership and not the club. As such, they argued those amounts should not be included in the club’s PSR calculations.
However, a ruling has decided that the interest is a fundamental part of what the club has spent and still owes, and so has to be included in the PSR calculations.
An EFL statement confirming the points deduction read: “In March 2026, the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit (CFRU) submitted a Compliance Report to the independent Club Financial Review Panel (CFRP) in relation to an alleged breach of Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) Rules.
“The report alleged that the club had exceeded the Upper Loss Threshold of £39m over the three-year period ending in the 2024/25 season and recommended a two-point deduction in line with EFL sanctioning guidelines. The club denied the allegations.
“Following a hearing on 22 and 23 April and having considered the Compliance Report in full alongside the club’s responses, the CFRP determined that the club’s losses did exceed the Upper Loss Threshold and imposed a two-point deduction, effective immediately.
“The sporting sanction has been applied to the Championship table for the 2025/26 season.
“The club may appeal the decision within 14 days of receipt of the full written reasons, as set out in Appendix 6 of the Regulations. If an appeal is lodged, the rules provide that it shall be heard within 28 days of submission.”
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