Journalist makes claim on Derby County’s potential further points deduction

Any further points deduction potentially handed to Championship side Derby County for a further breach of regulations is likely to be implemented next season as opposed to this term, according to Derbyshire Live reporter Steve Nicholson.

The Rams have already been sanctioned twice by the EFL this season for two different seasons, with their entrance into administration last September automatically handing them a 12-point deduction in what was a blow for them considering they started their season in a promising fashion.

They were then docked another nine points two months later for a historical financial breach, seemingly ending their hopes of remaining afloat in the second tier beyond the end of this term.

However, Wayne Rooney’s inexperienced squad have fought back admirably as they find themselves nine points adrift of safety, though they do have a superior goal difference over relegation battlers Reading who aren’t out of drop-zone danger just yet.

This was a deficit that was previously lower – but the fact they have managed to get more points on the board than many people expected them to has kept their hopes of remaining in the division alive.

However, further problems could be coming down the track for the Rams if preferred bidder Chris Kirchner or another party isn’t prepared to pay 25p in the £1 to existing creditors, potentially leaving the club to contend with another possible 15-point deduction.

This would automatically relegate Rooney’s side if that sanction was to be applied this season – but Derbyshire Live journalist Nicholson believes that punishment would be handed out during the 2022/23 campaign – a potential boost but also a possible curse.

The Verdict:

This could either work out brilliantly or poorly