“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.
The EFL today confirmed in a statement that the independent disciplinary hearing has ruled that Birmingham City will be deducted nine points as a result of a breach of the League’s Profitability and Sustainability rules. The ruling brings to an end months of waiting to see what would happen and will be imposed on Blues immediately.
The EFL have confirmed in a statement today that the Profit and Sustainability Disciplinary Commission hearing will be delayed for about a month. The commission had been scheduled to meet this week but due to a member of the Disciplinary Commission being “conflicted” they have had to withdraw.
Late on Thursday evening the Daily Telegraph published a story by John Percy confirming that the date of the disciplinary panel hearing into Blues’ breach of P&S regulations will be around the 26th February, with a verdict expected to be delivered this season.
