Wigan handed fresh four-point deduction as relegated Latics fail to pay players for FIFTH time this season

Wigan will start next season with a four-point deduction after failing to pay their relegated squad yet again.

The Latics are being punished following ‘further breaches of EFL regulations’, a league spokesperson has confirmed.

The breaches are in relation to the club failing to pay their players for the fifth time this term, a campaign that has seen them relegated to League One due to the turmoil both on and off the pitch.

As a result, Wigan will also receive a further four-point penalty that will suspended for a year with owner Abdulrahman Al Jasmi expected to deposit an amount totalling 125 per cent of the club’s monthly wage bill into an account.

Should he not do so, the sanction will be triggered, with the additional punishment also coming into effect if the owner fails to pay his players on time at any point between now and June 2024.

Shaun Maloney’s side have also been deducted a further three points from this season’s total, taking their final tally to just 39 points.

Confirming the punishment, a statement from the EFL added: “In addition, the Club has also had a further three points deducted from its 2022/23 Championship total for the late payment of players’ wages in March 2023 resulting in their final total being 39 points.

“Mr Al Jasmi was also charged with Misconduct and fined £10,000 for failing to comply with the terms of the Agreed Decision.

“Both Mr Al Jasmi and the Club have accepted the sanctions, which have been ratified by an independent Disciplinary Commission, and have agreed to pay all associated costs.

“In January, the Club was charged with Misconduct after it paid its players late on three occasions in June, July and October 2022.

“Accordingly, it was sanctioned with a suspended three-point deduction and entered an Agreed Decision with the League.

“The suspended sanction was activated in March when the Club failed to meet its contractual obligations with its players and breached the terms of the Agreed Decision when Mr Al Jasmi failed to deposit 125% of the Club’s forecast of its monthly wage bill into a designated account.”

Wigan, who finished bottom of the Championship table, would have finished above Reading and Blackpool on 45 points without their deductions.