While all eyes should be on the pitch for West Brom’s survival bid, more troubling events are taking place off it.

The Baggies have been boosted by a seven-game undefeated streak under temporary manager James Morrison, but their Championship status has been cast into doubt.

The Telegraph’s John Percy disclosed earlier this week that the Black Country club had been cited by the EFL with an alleged violation of profit and sustainability standards for the 2024-25 season, implying a slight points deduction is probable.

It’s concerning news given that Portsmouth’ midweek victory over Ipswich Town reduced the distance between Albion and the bottom three to two points before any deductions, implying that the Baggies still have a long way to go before they can celebrate survival.

West Brom have since answered that they have fully complied with the guidelines and have made no violations, with a hearing scheduled for later this month to resolve the issue.

Albion’s Championship standing is currently on a razor edge, with everyone connected to the club unsure whether the club would be found guilty of a breach and face a potentially key deduction.

FLW brings you all the latest info on West Brom’s points deduction drama.

James Morrison prohibits discussion of EFL charge.

According to the Express & Star, interim manager James Morrison has banned talk of Albion’s P&S charge by the EFL from the training facility, arguing that all attention should be focused on what happens on the game.

This weekend, the Baggies go to Lancashire to face Preston North End at Deepdale, followed by a midweek match against Watford, both of which might be crucial to Albion’s survival aspirations.

Morrison stated, “I found out exactly when everyone else did, and my position on it is the same: it’s not in our hands.

“Our goal is to be on the football side and not let it affect us, and I believe it will bring us closer together, stronger than before, to get the job done, and then I will be satisfied.

“I had a quick talk with the individuals in charge, and that was all. Just a quick chat, then I spoke with the players and that was all.

“I literally stopped anyone from talking about it because it is beyond our control, so we can only control what we can, and that was the end of it.

“Simple as that. I do not want to hear about it. Obviously, it’s a major story outside, but not within.”

Morrison continued, “As you can guess, it was a small blow, but that’s all it is.

“We’ve had this position (the relegation battle) for a few weeks now, so we know what we need to accomplish. It is ultimately up to us. Continue working hard. Keep delivering performances, staying in games, and relishing the difficulties.”

Rob Dorsett describes the timing for the EFL decision.

While Albion supporters are still in the dark due to the ongoing predicament, Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett has provided an update on when the Baggies will learn their fate.

Speaking on Sky Sports about West Brom’s dilemma, Dorsett stated that a result is expected sooner rather than later to guarantee sporting integrity is preserved and that teams understand how to approach the next few games of the season based on their position in the standings.

Dorsett stated: “It is possible, but very unlikely I am told, that the punishment will be decided after the final games of the Championship season, with all parties pushing hard for a resolution as soon as possible.”

The acclaimed journalist also stated that West Brom’s infraction is’marginal’ rather than ‘flagrant’, implying that if a points deduction is imposed, it may be less severe than the six-point penalty Leicester City got earlier this season.

Different EFL and West Brom fines disclosed

Many West Brom fans will be asking how the particular amount of a points deduction decision is decided, with the severity of the punishment essential to Albion’s ability to escape the relegation morass.

However, according to a report by Jordan Blackwell of the Leicester Mercury, the total of the points deduction increases depending on how much money is lost over the EFL’s threshold.

Of course, the disagreement, as reported by Sky Sports, concerns approximately £5 million in interest payments to the club’s former owner Guochuan Lai.

According to the Leicester Mercury, if this case is dependent on a £5 million payment, West Brom can only have over the loss limit by £5 million, albeit the actual sum could be far lower.

According to the EFL’s sentencing standards, a £5 million infraction would result in a five-point deduction. A breach of £2m to £4m results in a four-point deduction, while one under £2m results in three points.

However, great cooperation and good behavior might result in a reduced punishment in mitigation, so it is uncertain how harsh the EFL will be if they discover a good enough basis to consider the Baggies guilty of breaking the regulations.