Burnley ‘under investigation for playing weakened team and could face points deduction if found guilty’

Championship runaway leaders Burnley are reportedly under investigation after they fielded a weakened team against Reading last week.

Vincent Kompany’s men sealed promotion back to the Premier League earlier in the month after a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough.

Last week, Kompany decided to give his fringe players an opportunity to impress as he made six changes for their match against relegation-threatened Reading.

Reading ended up earning a 0-0 and picked up a vital point in their bid for survival.

According to a report by The Sun, Reading’s relegation rivals Huddersfield were far from impressed by Kompany’s team selection and Burnley are now in trouble with the EFL.

It is believed that the EFL have written to the Clarets regarding this issue and they could be fined or have points deducted if found guilty.

However, it has been reported that Burnley are adamant they made the changes because they were utilising their squad and some fringe players needed game time.

SPORTbible has contacted Burnley Football Club for comment.

On Saturday, Burnley returned to full strength but they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat against another team fighting for Championship survival, this time in the shape of Queens Park Rangers.

Speaking after the match against QPR, Kompany said: “I think the first half was, you have to score in the first half one if not more. I could see signs today of a team that for the first time is in a position where they have to win titles.

“Second half started and I had a feeling, I said it on the bench straight away I know this feeling, I’ve been there before and when guys are trying to make stuff up and are changing or deviating from what they’ve done so well in the season and when you start making stuff up you put yourself in a position where you basically you’re chasing.

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“You’re chasing the title, or you’re chasing the moment and it’s the opposite of what you have to do.”

Burnley are still in pole position to clinch the Championship title as they have a 10-point lead over second-placed Sheffield United.