West Brom face fresh relegation fears after alleged financial breach
Albion are two points clear of the Championship relegation zone - but the EFL have charged the club in breach of profit and sustainability rules.
Albion have been charged with an alleged financial breach in what could potentially have serious ramifications in the fight against Championship relegation.
The EFL's club financial reporting unit (CFRU) informed the club of the profit and sustainability (PSR) breach and Albion have 14 days to respond to the decision.
Albion were understood to be confident their finances - filed by December 31 as per league requirements - were within the EFL's financial fair play guidelines when it comes to no more than a £39million loss across a three-year financial cycle.
The club have been working closely with the EFL since Shilen Patel's Bilkul takeover in February 2024 to avoid such breaches and potential points deduction.
Albion remained confident of compliance in recent weeks.
The club recorded losses of £17m in the recently published accounts, covering the 2024/25 campaign's. This added to £31m loss from the previous season's figures. The three-year tally since 2022 is £55.6m.
Those figures, however, are not all included in PSR calculations due to permitted financial add-backs - spending on outgoings such as facility and infrastructure, the women's team and academy football.
Reports claim the PSR breach is minor but potential punishments could include a points deduction, transfer ban or fine.
It could mean Albion's season ends at Sheffield Wednesday on May 2 with the club still unclear about their Championship status.
Any possible deduction points deduction - which under EFL guidelines takes place the season after the breach - would have potentially fatal ramifications on Albion's bid to avoid Championship relegation.
The club are just two points clear of the relegation places with four matches left. Rivals Leicester City, currently second-bottom, were last month hit with a six-point deduction related to charges from their 2023/24 Championship campaign.
The EFL's CFRU files a compliance report against any potential breach, from which clubs have 14 days to respond.
Subsequent hearings usually take place within 28 days of the report being submitted.
It means the hearing could take place before the end of the EFL season - which runs until May 25 for play-off action - there could then be an appeal.
By Monday lunchtime the EFL declined to comment and Albion have been unavailable to comment.
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