Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has been discussing the latest regarding Wigan Athletic’s appeal against their points deduction.
At the beginning of July, it was revealed that the North-West club had gone into administration and was facing a 12-point deduction (per BBC).
Following the final game of the season, the points deduction came into effect and relegated the DW Stadium club from the Championship (per BBC).
However, Wigan have appealed the deduction and that has gone to an independent disciplinary commission, which representatives from Barnsley are also going to make their views known to (per BBC).
So, in the latest episode of The Price of Football podcast, Maguire discussed the latest on Athletic’s administration and their appeal against the deduction.
He said: “It’s the first time I’ve heard of this. Barnsley did put out a very strongly-worded statement at the end of the season which didn’t make any reference to Wigan, but did make a lot of references to the overall governance of the Football League and then made some specific references to the behaviour of other clubs.
“So, clearly they’re unhappy. Whilst you can fully understand them being completely hacked off with Wigan having a hearing, I’m not quite sure on what grounds they’re entitled to address the committee, because this hasn’t happened before.
“They are a third party and surely the case should be that of the EFL to say, ‘Well, these are the rules, we’ve applied the rules, the rules are unequivocal.’
“Then Wigan’s defence, which, by all accounts, is based on force majeure, to be then considered by the three people on the panel. So, to get a third party involved is unprecedented, in my opinion.”
TIF Thoughts…
Seemingly, following the news that Barnsley will be able to make their views known in Wigan’s appeal against their points deduction (per BBC), Maguire does not know how that will play out as it is “unprecedented”.
Do you believe that Wigan will be successful in their appeal?
No, I don't think so
Yes, I believe they will
Due to the fact that the Tykes will be relegated from the Championship should Athletic win their case, there is evidently a lot riding on the appeal for both sides.