Derby escape relegation and points deduction as EFL decide against appealing £100,000 fine over club’s accounts

DERBY have avoided a points deduction and subsequent relegation from the Championship after the EFL decided NOT to appeal a £100,000 fine over their club accounts.

Derby avoided the drop by the skin of their teeth last season, finishing one point above Wycombe Wanderers.

But their survival was achieved under a cloud of financial irregularities.

Wayne Rooney's Rams were handed a £100k fine following an investigation.

That punishment could have been extended to a points deduction on last season's total, pending the outcome of an appeal.

The EFL won an appeal in May to have a disciplinary commission against Derby, before an independent body opted to hand out a fine instead of a points deduction.

That decision could have been appealed by the EFL, meaning the possibility of a points deduction remained.

But they have confirmed they will not be taking things any further.

A statement read: “The EFL can today publish the written reasons relating to the Independent Disciplinary Commission’s sanction verdict in respect of the recent proceedings between the EFL and Derby County.

“Following the decision, the EFL remains disappointed that the Commission has determined that a £100,000 financial penalty is appropriate, when it was found the policy adopted for the amortisation of player registrations and the description in the notes to the Annual Accounts did not comply with Profit & Sustainability (P&S) rules.

“Alongside a financial penalty, the Club received a reprimand as to its future conduct and has been ordered to submit revised and restated accounts for the years ended 30 June 2016, 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2018 to the EFL by Wednesday 18 August 2021. 

“While the EFL does not agree that those sanctions are commensurate to the breaches found, following consultation with our legal advisors, the EFL Board has regrettably determined that there are insufficient grounds to appeal the sanction imposed by the Independent Disciplinary Commission.

“As a result of the League’s successful appeal, the Club’s re-stated accounts and revised calculations are to be prepared using a compliant form of amortisation in accordance with accounting standard FRS102 and the requirement of the P&S Rules. 

“Once these have been submitted, the EFL will then be required to consider the submissions in reference to the P&S rules and in particular re-assess whether the Club has complied with the requirement to limit losses in accordance with those rules. 

“The P&S rules have been adopted by both Premier League and Championship Clubs as a means of assisting them in regulating their own financial performance. 

“Having done so it is incumbent on the EFL to uphold those rules and, as previously demonstrated, it will apply the full force of the current regulations as appropriate. 

“As a consequence of the EFL’s decision not to appeal, the divisional placings for season 2021/22 are to remain in accordance with the fixture list issued on 24 June 2021.”

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