Historic English club may be hit with points deduction just before season end

The club have issued a statement in response to reports.

As reported first by Telegraph Sport, West Bromwich Albion "have allegedly breached English Football League’s profitability and sustainability rules for last season and are facing the threat of a points deduction."

According to EFL rules, any sporting sanction from the preceding season must be applied the subsequent year, meaning West Brom's punishment — and potential points deduction — should be applied before the season's end.

This could have major ramifications for the Championship relegation battle, with West Brom currently placed 20th, just four points ahead Oxford United, in the relegation zone.

Despite the claims of the report, West Brom have since issued a statement in which they claimed to have "fully complied with the Profit & Sustainability rules."

To be clear, no points deduction has yet been confirmed, however it is one of the punishment options available that could be imposed by the EFL at the conclusion of their investigations.

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The shocking story comes just days after 2016 Premier League champions Leicester City saw their six-point deduction upheld after an appeal.

The setback, imposed after an alleged breach of Premier League spending rules, means the Foxes will receive no respite from their current deep relegation trouble.

Following the latest round of fixtures in the second tier, Leicester and second from bottom, only ahead of Sheffield Wednesday.