WE’VE LEARNED LESSON - BLUES
BIRMINGHAM City have insisted they have got their house in order – after being docked nine points for breaching the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Over a three-year period from 2015-16 to 2017-18, Championship clubs were permitted losses of £39m, but the Blues had a deficit of £48.8m.
There was also controversy about Birmingham signing defender Kristian Pedersen from Union Berlin last summer when they had already been placed under a registration embargo.
An independent Disciplinary Commission was appointed to examine the case and a hearing was held on Monday.
The Blues pleaded guilty to the charge of breaching the P&S Rules and, after hearing representations from both parties, the panel ruled a ninepoint deduction was appropriate.
In a statement, Birmingham stressed they would not make the same mistake again. “The club has put measures in place to ensure future spending is within acceptable limits and since August we have adhered to an EFL business plan, which imposed transfer restrictions upon us,” said the Blues.
However, the statement also defended the actions of Birmingham owners Trillion Trophy Asia Limited, who took control in October 2016.
Critical
“When the club’s owners took over, Birmingham City Football Club was in a dire position and investment was critical across many aspects of the business, including the first team, women’s team, academy and the infrastructure,” it said.
“Then, as now, decisions by the owners and the board of directors were taken with the club’s best interests at heart and a determination to halt a cycle of decline and stagnation, with the intention of pushing on to fulfil ours and our fans’ ambitions.”
The St Andrew’s outfit have had a decent season on the pitch, though their nine-point deduction has seen them drop from 13th to 18th, subject to appeal. That puts them five points above the relegation zone with eight games left to play.
“This season we have taken significant strides forward on and off the pitch and the owners’ commitment and intention to drive continued improvement of the club’s fortunes will not diminish,” added the Blues.
Strides
“Under manager Garry Monk, we have a very tightknit squad of players who have performed with a sense of belonging, pride and passion. We have no doubt that will continue right to the season’s end.
“The backing of our fans has been integral, too, and the club is grateful for their support, their belief, and the connection that has been re-established between all of us who care deeply about Birmingham City Football Club has been pleasing to see.
“Birmingham City Football Club notes that it has 14 days in which to appeal the decision of the independent Disciplinary Commission and with that in mind we will be making no further comment.”
An EFL spokesman said: “The Profitability and Sustainability Rules, aligned with those in the Premier League, became effective in 2015/16.
“Season 2017/18 was the end of the first full reporting period with Birmingham City the only club found to have breached those requirements, when it incurred adjusted losses of £48.787 million, £9.787 million in excess of the permitted losses.”
The EFL said the Championship table would be amended with immediate effect ‘but it must be recognised that this remains subject to the outcome of any appeal’.