West Bromwich Albion are back in the Championship relegation fight after receiving an automatic two-point deduction.

The EFL found the Baggies guilty of violating Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) Rules.

It moves West Brom to 50 points, six ahead of Oxford United, with two Championship league games remaining.

However, the Baggies have a significantly higher goal differential than Oxford, implying that it would take a severe defensive breakdown for West Brom to drop into League One.

However, it is undeniable that West Brom have a mathematical probability of relegation.

EFL’s Statement

In a statement, the EFL stated: “In March 2026, the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit (CFRU) submitted a Compliance Report to the independent Club Financial Review Panel (CFRP) in respect to an alleged violation of Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) Rules.

“The report claimed that the Club had exceeded the Upper Loss Threshold of £39 million over the three-year period ending in the 2024/25 season, and it recommended a two-point deduction in accordance with EFL sanctioning guidelines.

” “The Club denied the allegations.”After a hearing on April 22-23, the CFRP concluded that the Club’s losses exceeded the Upper Loss Threshold and imposed a two-point deduction effective immediately.The sanction has been imposed to the Championship table for the 2025/26 season.

The Club may appeal the judgment within 14 days of receiving the full written reasons, as specified in Appendix 6 of the Regulations. According to the guidelines, appeals must be heard within 28 days of submission.The whole written justifications will be published in due time.

West Brom responds to punishment over’smallest ever breach’

In response, West Brom stated: “Following a two-day hearing that concluded on 23 April 2026, the EFL’s Club Financial Review Panel (CFRP) has published a decision stating that the Club has exceeded the Upper Loss Threshold for the three-year period ending 30 June 2025 and will thus receive a two-point deduction, effective immediately.” At this point, the CFRP has not released any written grounds for its decision. The Club disagrees with the CFRP’s findings and believes it has fully complied with the Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) Rules.

“The decision did not specify the amount by which the Club was judged to have surpassed the Upper Loss Threshold. West Bromwich Albion has not been told of the amount of the infraction, which is less than £2 million. This is thus the smallest ever violation of the P&S Rules in the EFL Championship and Premier League.

“The proceedings were brought by the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting Unit (CFRU) in response to a shift in the CFRU’s approach to Community Development Expenditure. In 2023/24, the CFRU agreed that the Club could include in-kind donations of its facilities, personnel time, and resources to its official charity partner, The Albion Foundation, in its P&S calculation. Earlier this year, the CFRU informed the club that it had modified its stance and would make a retrospective adjustment to the club’s P&S calculation.

“Without the CFRU modifying its approach to Community Development Expenditure, the Club would not have violated the P&S Rules. The Club will continue to support The Albion Foundation’s excellent community programs.

“West Bromwich Albion has the right to appeal and is considering its options.” The Club will make further comments after it has received the written reasons.

“For now, we will settle this on the pitch.”