West Brom Points Deduction: Championship team could face relegation after alleged breach of financial rules

West Brom could be thrust into a relegation battle in the Championship after the team faces the threat of a points deduction after an alleged breach of financial rules. West Brom are currently only two points above the bottom three in the Championship and sit at 20th spot.

The Telegraph has reported that “West Brom have allegedly breached English Football League’s profit and sustainability rules for last season and are facing the threat of a points deduction.

“Under English Football League guidelines, any sporting sanction from the previous season must be applied in the following campaign, which would represent a severe blow to Albion’s hopes of survival with four games left.

Who owns West Brom?

West Brom is owned by Florida-based businessman Shilen Patel and his company Bilkul Football WBA. In February 2024, West Brom club shared a statement which read: “Bilkul Football WBA, LLC – a company ultimately owned by Florida-based entrepreneur Shilen Patel and his father Dr Kiran C. Patel – has acquired an 87.8% shareholding in West Bromwich Albion Group Limited, the parent company of West Bromwich Albion Football Club.”

“Shilen Patel, who has been named Chairman of the football club, is a serial investor with experience in technology, healthcare, sport, real estate, finance, food & beverage, and numerous other sectors across five continents. He has owned a minority shareholding in Serie A club Bologna FC 1909 since 2014.”

Shilen Patel said: “I am delighted and humbled to become the new custodian of West Bromwich Albion Football Club.

“Today marks the beginning of an exciting project for the club to regain its standing as a consistent Premier League presence.

“Success does not occur overnight, but it is my ambition to build on the club’s current and historical strengths and surround West Bromwich Albion with high quality stakeholders at home and globally.

"I am also fortunate to be inheriting and continuing the great work of The Albion Foundation at home and abroad.

“I am in awe of the opportunity to help write the next chapter in Baggies history and am committed to being a responsible, respectful, and effective steward of the club.”

Reddit users have been reacting to the news of a possible West Brom points deduction and one wrote: “So potentially all three relegated teams this season could have a points deduction, but still have been relegated without the deduction.”

Another Reddit user: “Ah the loan from MSD kiss of death. It’s definitely odd how frequently they pop up as a creditor. Surely they’re losing money to a lot of clubs?

“It’s sad to see West Brom in the state they are. They always came across as a really well ran club when they were in the Prem and even while they Yo-Yo’d. Actually would be a shame to see them in League One.”