The Championship relegation picture looked almost settled not long ago. Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday have already gone down, leaving just one place left to be decided.
The fight appeared to be narrowing, with a few clubs still nervously looking over their shoulders. But that situation has now changed.
West Bromwich Albion have been hit with an immediate two-point deduction after breaching EFL financial rules, dragging them straight back into trouble.
The penalty drops them from 18th to 20th in the table. They now sit on 50 points, only six clear of the relegation zone with two matches left. That gap suddenly does not look comfortable.
Oxford United are 22nd on 44 points, while Charlton Athletic also sit on 50, just below West Brom on goal difference. What looked like safety now feels far less certain.
West Brom went on a strong run, staying unbeaten in nine games and seemingly pulling away from danger. Now, this decision hits them at the worst possible moment.
The club responded with a firm statement, revealing that the EFL’s Club Financial Review Panel found they had exceeded the ‘Upper Loss Threshold for the three-year period ending 30 June 2025.’
“The club disagrees with the CFRP’s findings and remains of the view that it has fully complied with the Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) Rules.”
West Brom also claimed they do not know the exact figure of the breach and believe it is the “smallest ever” across both the Championship and Premier League.
They are now considering an appeal. On the pitch, the pressure is immediate. They face promotion-chasing Ipswich Town next, while Oxford United take on already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday.
If results go against them, the gap could shrink to just three points heading into the final day. What looked like a calm finish has suddenly turned into a real fight for West Brom’s survival.
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