West Brom fans have reacted with fury after the EFL imposed a two-point penalty on the club for a Profit and Sustainability (PSR) breach. The sanction, announced on Friday, has dropped James Morrison's side back into relegation contention in the Championship, reducing their buffer to just six points with only two games remaining.
Quickest decision of its kind
A two-day hearing took place over Wednesday and Thursday, with the decision delivered within 24 hours of its conclusion. It is believed to be the fastest outcome ever for such a case. Despite the penalty, Albion maintain their innocence and insist they have fully complied with PSR regulations.
Club statement blames rule change
A club statement revealed that a recent change in the EFL's stance on community development expenditure is the reason for the breach of the loss limit. The club vowed to 'continue to support the great work of The Albion Foundation and its community programme.'
Fans have expressed outrage, particularly over the retrospective nature of the rule change. One fan said: 'How can they justify a rule change mid accounting period? The same rules should be in place for the whole period so clubs know where they stand. It's not as if you can sell players to balance the books whenever you like. The EFL should be taken to an independent tribunal for this.'
Another supporter called for an appeal, stating: 'If the club is right, it screams appeal. Retrospective assessment change the season after the accounts in question have closed and the club can't do anything about it, smallest ever overspend punished, and zero sporting advantage achieved.'
Some fans compared the punishment to others, with one remarking: 'Might as well have kept all our players, spent more money and got a six-point fine like the £70m overspend Leicester. What a lesson the EFL is teaching us all.'
Despite the setback, some remain confident. One fan added: 'Pretty damning on the governing bodies this is to retrospectively change the goalposts. Glad the lads have done the work the last couple games. Confident in them they'll get at least the point needed to guarantee safety.'
