West Bromwich Albion have already clinched their Championship safety thanks to an improved performance under interim manager James Morrison.

After Eric Ramsay’s ill-fated reign in charge, which lasted only 44 days and consisted of a terrible four draws, five loses, and zero victories in nine matches, the Baggies’ battle against relegation to League One appeared to be going down to the wire.

Ramsay was, of course, the season’s second permanent managerial hire, succeeding Ryan Mason in January before Albion went internally for Morrison. It’s a gamble that has already paid off, with the former Baggies midfielder supervising an extended undefeated run to guide West Brom to safety in the Championship following Tuesday’s spectacular 3-0 win over Watford.

That was taken away from them on Friday evening, when the EFL announced a two-point deduction for a breach of their financial rules, leaving them with one more point to survive – which they earned with a goalless draw against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town on Saturday.

Albion may now look forward to the 2026/27 season, hoping to improve on a poor season at The Hawthorns, despite the EFL’s late-season action against them.

And it’s a subject that has sparked much debate, with former Everton and Aston Villa CEO Keith Wyness now chiming in and offering a fairly telling conclusion to the EFL before the Baggies are punished.

Ex-CEO attacks EFL after West Brom points deduction

Specifically, the claims brought against West Brom are for interest payments on loans carried out by Lai prior to his long-awaited sale to Patel.

David Piesing, a Baggies devotee and minority shareholder, has made a fresh breakthrough in the saga.

Piesing has claimed on X that he sent emails to former chief executive Ke Xu, the club’s auditors, and the EFL about the loans in 2023, alleging that Lai had funded separate businesses with West Brom’s funds, forcing Albion to borrow money to cover withdrawn funds.

Piesing believes that a potential points reduction three years after the problem was first raised would be a “gross injustice.”

Wyness believes the EFL should have taken action, and he hopes that any point deductions have a minor influence on the Baggies’ destiny.

In an interview with Football Insider, the former CEO praised James Morrison’s performance as interim manager.Even with a point deduction, they appear to be safe currently, and they have produced some good outcomes. So good luck on the pitch. Well done.

“I thought that was fascinating, and I have unfortunately had a very personal experience of a Chinese owner and the opaqueness of the Chinese situation and checking out people in China and what goes on.”I felt enormous pity for the fan who had done the study, because they were spot on in my perspective.

“They were right.”In the instance of West Brom, the EFL should have been interested. Nick Craig is mentioned in those emails, and I know he has an interest because I’ve dealt with him before. He admits that the Chinese situation is quite murky.It is difficult to obtain accurate information,

and there is plenty to be said about what that fan stated, and the EFL acted far too quickly on this matter, about the points deduction on that specific loan.

“In the end, they’re going to have to swallow it and eat humble pie on this one because it was a mistake and, hopefully, West Brom have done enough now that even if there is a small points deduction they’ll be safe anyway.”

West Brom may have been devastated by a possible EFL points deduction.

West Brom are rightfully receiving credit for their recent unbeaten streak, which has lifted them out of relegation danger, as they were destined to sink into the third tier at one point.

Morrison has been able to coax a tune out of this side, where Mason and Ramsay have failed, and it’s no wonder that West Brom are now apparently considering to recruit the 39-year-old on a permanent basis.

The two points deducted were tiny, but it nevertheless put them in peril heading into the Ipswich match, which has now passed.

It all means that West Brom will be even more thankful of Morrison’s ability to guide the team ahead, given the penalties of a sanction were not as severe as they could have been.