Albion's Points Deduction: Frustration Over Timeline

West Bromwich Albion FC has "acknowledged" the publication of the independent Club Football Reporting Panel's (CFRP) written reasons for their points deduction, expressing clear frustration with the timeline of events. The club decided not to appeal, stating they "settled it on the pitch." Albion submitted their annual accounts on December 3, yet it took 112 days for a compliance report to be issued, leading to the punishment during the season's final days after a swift hearing.

The club argued that any sporting sanction should have been suspended until the 2026-27 season due to the delay. They also highlighted owner Shilen Patel's "tireless" efforts in reducing losses, with the final breach standing at just under £1.97m, the smallest ever recorded in the Premier League or Championship. Despite Patel's group working with the EFL since February 2024, Albion's engagement was only deemed "reasonable."

The written reasons acknowledge the club did not act in bad faith, noting that Albion sold assets like Torbjorn Heggem and Tom Fellows to comply, which impacted their on-field performance. The panel rejected Albion's case regarding recharging £5.2m in interest on a loan to the parent company, viewing it as a consequence of the takeover. Furthermore, a significant portion of the club's "community add-back" claims were disallowed, despite a previously accepted interpretation of community development expenditure.