In football, the last day of the season is crucial. It becomes the be-all-end-all of a campaign, it is supposed to signal the end of heartbreak. Yet, here Derby County are, cruelly tricked into believing that they could survive the burning flames of financial disarray without a single burn. They survived relegation on the final day; they cheered, celebrated with such joyous nature only for the threat of relegation to still hang over them, like the Grim Reaper lurking in the shadows.
In a club statement, the Rams stated: “Last night the Disciplinary Commission communicated the following findings to the parties:
”It declared the Club’s accounts for years ended 30 June 2016, 30 June 2017 and 30 June 2018 did not comply with the requirements of the Championship Profitability and Sustainability Rules (‘the P&S Rules’).
”It ordered the Club submit revised accounts for those years by 18 August 2021 using a policy for the amortisation of player registrations which complies both with the requirements of FRS 102 and with the P&S Rules.
“It issued the Club with a reprimand, along with a fine of £100,000.”
The Derby County Relegation Fear Could Come True
Derby County Relegation Still a ‘Possibility’
The EFL also stated that relegation is still a possibility, Derby confirmed: “Although the Disciplinary Commission has yet to publish its full written reasons for its Decision, the EFL issued a press release about it and the fixture list last night. The Club is disappointed that the EFL has not, as is usual, waited until after the publication of the Disciplinary Commission’s reasons nor agreed a statement with the Club and in addition has chosen to be selective about the Decision and present it in a form which omit key dates and details, which the Club has provided by way of clarity above.
“The EFL had sought a points deduction against the Club to be imposed in the 2020/21 season which finished in May 2021. No points deduction has been imposed by the Disciplinary Commission.
“The EFL claims to have developed “an interchangeable fixture list for Derby County and Wycombe Wanderers” because there is a “possibility” that as part of a future appeal against the Decision of the Disciplinary Commission (which has not yet been brought) a points deduction could “take effect in 2020/21 that would potentially impact the final league placings”.
”The Club disputes that a points’ deduction at any time is appropriate, and disputes that it is lawful for the EFL to seek to impose one retrospectively, altering the final league placings after the season has already finished.
”The Club looks forward to competing in the Championship in the 2021/22 season. It shall not comment further until after publication of the full written reasons of the Disciplinary Commission.”
Hope for Wycombe
Everyone likes an underdog story in football so, naturally, people were left rooting for Wycombe Wanderers until the very last day in the Championship. Ultimately, they suffered relegation but their fighting spirit was admirable, perhaps eve admirable enough to earn them a place in the second tier next season? If Derby County were to suffer a points deduction, as the EFL stated was a possibility, then Wycombe’s belated underdog victory would be confirmed.
They would have been preparing for a campaign in League One, but all of their Christmases could come at once should the EFL hand further punishment to the Rams. As for Wayne Rooney, will he want to stick around in amongst such mess? At the start of his managerial career, he could be set to be thrown in the deep end if he stays. And that seems a big if.
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