Nine point deduction to leave Birmingham in relegation scrap

Widespread reports indicate Birmingham City will be docked nine points in the Championship for breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations.

The EFL have imposed the punishment following a hearing earlier this week where excessive spending in previous seasons was reviewed.

The penalty sees Garry Monk’s men drop down from 13th in the Championship table to 19th – and just five points above the relegation zone.

And with just eight games remaining, it means Blues are now in a serious battle to avoid relegation into League One.

An Independent Disciplinary Commission considered the matter on Monday and it’s understood they will not be under a future transfer embargo relating to this issue.

In January Birmingham revealed a £37.5million loss to the end of June 2018, largely a result of their wage bill rising from £22million to almost £38million.