West Brom deducted 2 points for financial breaches

Championship side West Bromwich Albion were hit with a two-point deduction on Friday for breaching the Football League's financial rules.

Albion were charged with exceeding the £39 million ($52 million) loss limit for the three-year period up to the end of the 2024-25 season.

The club denied the charges but during a two-day hearing, an independent financial review panel found Albion's losses "did exceed the upper loss threshold".

The punishment plunges West Brom back into relegation danger with two matches left in their second tier campaign.

Previously eight points clear of the relegation zone and assured of survival, James Morrison's side are now six points above the bottom three.

West Brom released a statement saying they were considering their options regarding an appeal but added: "For now, we will settle this on the pitch."

Albion said they disagreed with the panel's findings and insisted the club were compliant with the league's profitability and sustainability rules.

"The decision does not state the amount by which the club is said to have exceeded the upper loss threshold," the statement said.

"West Bromwich Albion has not been informed of the quantum of the breach, save that this is less than £2 million. This is therefore the smallest ever breach of the P&S rules across the EFL Championship and the Premier League."

West Brom's accounts were submitted to the Football League in December, but they were not charged until the end of March.

The Baggies need one point from their remaining games -- against promotion-chasing Ipswich and relegated Sheffield Wednesday -- to avoid relegation.