'I have heard': Football finance expert gives latest on West Brom PSR debacle as fans wait for answers

Albion fans still remain in the dark over whether their relegation threatened side are heading for a points deduction over alleged PSR breaches.

On Monday, it was claimed that Albion were set to be charged by the EFL for breaching PSR rules - with the club set to face a potential points deduction.

Albion rebuffed the reports and stated they have complied with the regulations and are continuing to work with the EFL.

The EFL are yet to comment on the matter - leading many to speculate over what may or may not happen to Albion.

With just four games left and Albion hovering above the drop zone - there is real concern that a points deduction may see them relegated to League One.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who lectures on the topic of finance in football, believes Albion are no more than £1m over the PSR rules.

He also told BBC WM that he had been told the EFL have already held a meeting at their headquarters over the matter.

He goes on to say that the club also feel that the issue is not down to them but down to an error.

He said: “I did my calculations and I don’t have intricate data but I had Albion perhaps no more than a million pound over the limit. Then it comes down to the EFL’s attitude.

“Because Albion have been working hand in hand with them to comply with a business plan and they can be seen as co-operating.

“But if it is over, strictly it has to go to a commission.

“I believe there was a meeting at the EFL headquarters yesterday of senior people and we might get to hear something.

“The separate issue is that we are almost at the end of the season and it is not fair on Albion or the other clubs in the relegation dogfight.

“The issue is A, is there is going to be a charge, B, if they are innocent or guilty, and C, whether the tariff is before the end of the season.

“All of the unknown is causing stress and distress for clubs, fans, owners and everybody concerned.

“I have heard on the grapevine that the club feel it is nothing to do with the club, they think someone, somewhere has made an error in adding up or subtracting some numbers.

“We don’t know whether that is to do with the club or an accountant, or the EFL, and this could form the basis of the alleged yet unknown overspend.

“This is more of a mess up than a conspiracy, there was no grand plan from West Bromwich Albion to deliberately overspend.

“But it is a bit like a tax return, if you sign it you take responsibility for it. It is whether it is connected to the club, then they have the responsibility, but if it is at the EFL end then it is less of an issue.”

For many, the more pressing matter is when Albion will discover what they are facing and whether they will have chance to appeal it.

With four games to go - it has been claimed by some that the Baggies may not discover the news until after the end of the campaign.

Maguire also said that there has to be questions over the EFL over the timing of the issue.

He added: “If West Brom have not been charged yet then they need time to put together a defence and the EFL time to put together a prosecution, but we only have a month of the season to go.

“It is very difficult to see how this could be all done and dusted. Equally, if I was a fan or owner of Portsmouth or Oxford, I would be gunning for this to be sorted asap.

“It does seem it has dragged on too long. If West Brom’s accounts were in on March 1, we are six weeks later and it may or may not lead to a set of charges.

“You have to question the efficiency of the EFL unless it was something spotted when going through PSR calculations that was not initially picked up on.”