EFL: Wigan Athletic lose appeal over points deduction following Hong Kong-owned administration
- The 2013 FA Cup winners will play in League One next season after independent panel denies appeal against 12-point deduction
- Automatic deduction followed new owner Next Leader Fund refusing to fund the club weeks after takeover was approved by EFL and HKEX
Wigan Athletic will play League One football next season after losing their appeal against a 12-point deduction for going into administration, the English Football League confirmed on Tuesday
The club had appealed the deduction after being placed in administration by Hong Kong owners Next Leader Fund (NLF) last month just weeks after they were sold by former Hong Kong-based owners International Entertainment Corporation (IEC). The deal was approved by both the EFL and Hong Kong stock exchange (HKEX).
Wigan reportedly appealed against the deduction on the grounds of “force majeure”, following owner Au-yeung Wai-kay’s claims that he could no longer afford to fund the club based on the Covid-19 pandemic.
After an hour-long delay on the expected announcement it was confirmed that the Latics will be relegated to League One next season, while Barnsley will remain in the Championship.
“An independent arbitration panel has ruled that Wigan Athletic’s 12-point deduction for entering administration last month will stand after dismissing the club’s appeal against the sporting sanction,” the EFL said in statement.