Wigan Athletic have announced that they have been placed into administration due to financial problems, which have in part been caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Under normal circumstances, if an EFL club enters administration, this triggers an automatic 12-point deduction. The EFL have said that it will be determined at the end of this season as to whether this deduction will be applied during this season or during the 2020/21 campaign.
The club had spent a number of seasons in the Premier League during this century, and had won the FA Cup in the 2012-13 season, in which they were relegated from the Premier League. Administration is a process in which the company calls in administrators who aim to help the company pay off its debts and avoid liquidation. The club have appointed Paul Stanley, Gerald Krasner and Dean Watson of Begbies Traynor as administrators.
Krasner said: "Our immediate objectives are to ensure the club completes all its fixtures this season and to urgently find interested parties to save Wigan Athletic FC and the jobs of the people who work for the club.
“Obviously the suspension of the Championship season due to Covid-19 has had a significant impact on the recent fortunes of the club.
“Wigan Athletic has been a focal point and source of pride for the town since 1932 and anyone who is interested in buying this historic sporting institution should contact the joint administrators directly."
An EFL statement confirming Wigan's administration read: "As a result of Wigan Athletic confirming they have entered into administration, the Club will be subject to a 12-point deduction and, in accordance with EFL Regulations, the timing of the sporting sanction can only be determined once final league placings in the Championship are determined. If in the event the Club is relegated by virtue of their final position following the conclusion of the Championship season, then the deduction will apply in League One in 2020/21. However, if the Club is not in the relegation places following the final game of season, the sanction will be then be applied to their season 2019/20 total and final league standings amended as appropriate. The EFL is awaiting formal notification from the Administrators and once the League has received this it will commence discussions with the relevant individuals with the aim of achieving a long-term future for the Club."
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