Championship side Wigan Athletic handed immediate points deduction

Championship strugglers Wigan Athletic have been hit with an immediate points deduction.

Over the last few months, reports have circulated that the former Premier League side have failed to pay wages to their players due to their ongoing financial problems.

As a result, they were bound to be hit with punishments from the English Football League. Now, a decision has been made.

"The Club had previously been charged and sanctioned for failing to adhere to the terms of the Standard Contracts that were in force between the Club and its Players in the months of June 2022, July 2022 and October 2022.

"In a further breach of the Agreed Decision, the Club’s owner has failed to deposit an amount equal to 125% of its forecast monthly wage bill in a designated Club account. This had been a key term of the Agreed Decision to help prevent the Club breaching EFL Regulations again, should there be future delays in the processing of overseas payments."

"Separately, new charges have now been issued to the Club following this latest instance of non-payment of player wages and for not complying with the Agreed Decision. The Club’s owner will also be charged with misconduct, with the matter to be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.

"The Club notes the EFL statement and charge and will issue a further update on the current wage situation in due course."

As a result, Wigan will now only have 31 points at the bottom of the Championship table, eight points behind Cardiff City in 21st place.