Wigan Face Second Four-Point Deduction by EFL

May 26, 2023

Wigan are now facing another four-point deduction by the EFL after their owner Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi failed to abide by an independent disciplinary commission’s ruling on an agreed decision from them.

Since their Premier League days, they have spent most of their time moving through the second and third tiers and so an instant return appears unlikely.

Owner Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi has been given extra time to cover 125% of the club’s forecast monthly wage bill

Wigan’s relegation was followed by financial problems off the pitch. They entered administration in 2021, under the control of administrators appointed by Wigan FC chairman Tom Hicks and administrators appointed by them. On 15 January a take-over bid by Spanish Leganes owner Felipe Moreno was rejected; thus opening up negotiations between other parties involved and Wigan administrators.

The Latics have been hit with a second four-point deduction

The EFL has fined Latics four points after they failed to pay player wages on time in May, in addition to two previous penalties imposed for violations of league regulations.

Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi, owner of Wigan Athletic Football Club, was given extra time on Wednesday to deposit 125% of its projected monthly wage bill into an account by an earlier deadline – however as of Friday morning the north west club had failed to meet this funding deadline.

Wigan will now begin League One play with an eight point deficit, following an eventful season at DW Stadium under new owner Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi that saw player protests, staff outrage, and manager Kolo Toure’s dismissal as well as their financial issues worsen further. Wigan must work harder than ever if they want to return to Premier League status.

The club will start next season on minus eight points

As early as 1933, this club joined the Lancashire Combination in 1946 and came close to election to the Football League on multiple occasions. Unfortunately they failed re-election after two seasons and moved on to Cheshire League where they managed to become one of its top half sides.

Wigan Athletic celebrated their first piece of silverware as a league club during 1985-86 with their victory in the Freight Rover Trophy. Following an excellent start, Bryan Hamilton left Wigan just short of promotion at season’s end and Ray Mathias, whom had replaced Lloyd, took charge.

Wigan finished mid-table before being promoted back into Division Three for another campaign. Since then, they have remained there ever since – including 10 top-half finishes since 1999 at Springfield Park before moving their home matches to DW Stadium (then known as JJB Stadium).

Wigan’s recent ordeal adds another chapter to their turbulent journey

Wigan won the Third and Second Divisions titles respectively between 1997 and 2003 before being promoted to English football’s Premier League in 2005. Relegated two years later, however, Wigan returned for 2012-13 season where they made it all the way to League Cup final, losing 4-1 against Manchester City before 100,000 fans at Wembley.

Dave Whelan purchased Latics in 1995 and immediately spent millions to improve their squad, moving them from Springfield to the JJB Stadium – with hopes that promotion back into Premier League would follow – only for them to fall just short and be relegated again.

After failing to meet an EFL funding deadline this week, they will begin next season on an eight point deficit. Owner Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi had been granted additional time in which to deposit funds covering 125% of their projected monthly wage bill, but by Friday morning had not done so.

Source: Kora live