It has been widely reported that Championship side Birmingham City have been hit with a nine-point deduction by the EFL for breaching “Profitability and Sustainability rules”.
Sky Sports News writes that Birmingham City have breached financial fair play regulations regarding profitability and sustainability. The club are believed to have gone over the allowable losses limit of £39 million.
The club recorded losses of £37.5 million during the 2017/18 season alone. Birmingham brought in fourteen players over the course of the season, with most of their spending being done during the summer transfer window under Harry Redknapp.
The club finished the season in 19th place, five points clear of the relegation zone.
Fans were concerned that the EFL was going to his Blues with a heavier deduction, with a 12-point deduction possibly looming. However, the EFL has reportedly deemed a nine-point deduction as a worthy punishment for their breaches of regulations.
Birmingham City were sat in 13th place on 50 points prior to the deduction, seven points away from Aston Villa in 6th place, who currently occupy the last of four play-off places on 57 points. The nine-point deduction will leave the club 18th place in the Championship table, five points clear of Rotherham United, who currently sit in 22nd place on 36 points after 38 games.
It is understood by Birmingham Live that the club will not face any extra punishment once the deduction is made. Blues will not face a transfer embargo and they will not be made to pay a fine.
Upon the emergence of the news, Birmingham City fans have been having their say on Twitter.
Only Blues could sign a group of players so expensive we get a points deduction yet so bad they nearly relegate us. Only to then assemble a squad good enough to keep us up with a points deduction yet pay them in Smarties. We’re a unique club sometimes #bcfc
— Josh MacDonald (@joshmac90) March 22, 2019
If we stay up, then this is a bit of a result #bcfc https://t.co/MhxYYGviDM
— Dan Trentham (@_xdrt) March 22, 2019
Birmingham points deduction is a weird situation. On the basis of what they've done, it warrants punishment. But when you consider what other clubs have got away with it's incredibly unfair. #BCFC
— Matt Dawson (@mattddawson) March 22, 2019
It could have been so much worse!
5 points clear, much better goal
difference and still Wigan, Rotherham, Ipswich and Reading to play.It is going to be a very interesting end to the season.. AGAIN #BCFC #KRO https://t.co/Ax5eEtGFEH
— Lee Chapman (@chapmanbcfc) March 22, 2019
Wouldn’t have it any other way #bcfc
— harry jenkinson (@harryjenkinson9) March 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/aimbcfc/status/1109061518585487360
https://twitter.com/bencwilliams_/status/1109058874974326785
