As Blues head into the international break, things on the pitch feel better than they have done for a while. While Blues were unable to continue their run of wins at home to Coventry, there seems to be a very positive feeling around the way the team is playing and optimism that it will improve further.
Birmingham City confirmed late on Boxing Day that their home fixture against Peterborough United on Wednesday December 29 has been postponed due to the short turn around for players to return from isolation or recover from injury. This means that Blues will have two fixtures now to rearrange into what is already a fairly tight calendar.
Would it be a proper summer transfer window if there wasn’t at least one team in trouble with the EFL? This year’s Championship bad boys are Derby County, who have a stiff embargo, a suspended points deduction and the threat of further punishment hanging over them as we head into the new season.
“Financial Armageddon” screamed the headline. Ten clubs under a transfer embargo with the EFL, of which Birmingham City was one. The article from the Daily Mail appears to have gone, but the backlash hasn’t, with Coventry City, Luton Town and Cardiff City all issuing statements refuting the story. Was it all just a storm in a teacup or is there more to read into this?
One of the biggest talking points in English football in recent days is the so-called “Project Big Picture”. First revealed in an exclusive by Sam Wallace in the Telegraph, the plan formulated by EFL Chairman Rick Parry along with Liverpool investor John W Henry, Manchester United vice-chairman Ed Woodward along with others has been controversial to say the least. What effect does it have on Birmingham City?
It’s taken a few months, but the written reasons for the decisions of the Independent Disciplinary Commission and League Arbitration Panel regarding Birmingham City’s second breach of the P&S rules were finally released on Monday. Blues were initially acquitted of the charge before being found guilty on appeal without any sanction imposed.
Birmingham City confirmed on Wednesday that the EFL have notified the club of its intention to appeal the decision of the Independent Disciplinary Commission. The club had all charges dismissed by the Commission in a judgement that was confirmed on March 6.
Birmingham City confirmed on Friday that the Independent Disciplinary Commission dismissed a charge of misconduct brought by the EFL against the club in May 2019. The EFL have a right to appeal the decision of the Commission which met on February 12.
News broke on Monday night that Middlesbrough Chairman Steve Gibson is demanding an investigation into the financial conduct of three clubs in the Championship. Gibson is unhappy at the way Derby County, Sheffield Wednesday and our chums from across the expressway have skirted the P&S rules.
The dust has now settled after the big news of Birmingham City being sanctioned with a nine-point deduction for breaching Profit and Sustainability rules. The questions now have to be asked as to how Birmingham City got into the mess it did and how it can ensure it does not happen again.
