West Bromwich Albion’s Championship survival hopes have been dealt a significant blow after an independent financial review panel imposed a two-point penalty for breaching the English Football League’s profit and sustainability regulations.
The sanction, handed down following a two-day hearing, has dramatically altered the club’s relegation picture. What appeared to be a secure second-tier future following a midweek victory over Watford has now become precarious, with Albion slipping to 20th place and sitting just six points clear of the drop zone.
The Breach
The club was found to have exceeded the £39 million loss threshold across the three-year period ending in 2024-25. While West Brom initially contested the allegations, the independent club financial review panel (CFRP) determined that the losses did indeed surpass the permitted ceiling, resulting in the two-point deduction.
The penalty leaves Albion needing just one additional point from their final two matches—Saturday’s home fixture against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town and a trip to already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday—to mathematically secure survival.
AdvertisementClub’s Response
West Brom has rejected the findings, maintaining they operated within regulatory guidelines. In a statement released Friday, the club emphasized that the breach amount—which remains undisclosed but is less than £2 million—represents the smallest infringement across the entire EFL Championship and Premier League.
“This is therefore the smallest ever breach of the P&S rules,” the club stated, adding they “fully complied” with regulations.
The Baggies have a two-week window to lodge an appeal, with any subsequent decision taking up to 28 days.