Wigan have been hit with a three-point deduction by the English Football League for failing to pay player and staff wages on time.
The Latics, who currently sit bottom of the Championship, have endured a turbulent season on the field, having worked their way through three different managers and won just seven league matches all season.
There has also been issues off the field, with the club initially being handed a suspended three-point deduction back in January for the late payment of wages in June, July and October 2022. Wigan confirmed on March 10 that there had been delays in wage payments to players due to "liquidity issues".
Manager Shaun Maloney admitted he was expecting some sort of punishment from the EFL after their 1-1 draw at Watford on Saturday afternoon. Now, it has been announced that the Latics will be deduced three points with immediate effect - putting a huge dent in their fight to stay in the second tier.
A statement from the EFL read : "Wigan Athletic has, with immediate effect, been deducted three points from the 2022/23 Championship table after the Club failed to pay player salaries again in March 2023.
"The Club had previously been charged and sanctioned for failing to adhere to the terms of the Standard Contracts that were in force between the Club and its Players in the months of June 2022, July 2022 and October 2022.
"This latest infringement by the Club to meet its obligations means the terms of the Agreed Decision the Club entered into with the EFL in January 2023 has been breached and the application of the suspended sporting sanction has been automatically triggered.
"In a further breach of the Agreed Decision, the Club’s owner has failed to deposit an amount equal to 125% of its forecast monthly wage bill in a designated Club account. This had been a key term of the Agreed Decision to help prevent the Club breaching EFL Regulations again, should there be future delays in the processing of overseas payments.
"Separately, new charges have now been issued to the Club following this latest instance of non-payment of player wages and for not complying with the Agreed Decision. The Club’s owner will also be charged with misconduct, with the matter to be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission."
The deduction means that Wigan are eight points off safety, and have also played a game more than 21st-place Cardiff. The Latics won promotion back to the Championship last season but have struggled ever since, and a return to the third tier seems all but inevitable.
Leam Richardson started the season in charge, having helped them to promotion last term, however, he was dismissed in November. Former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure took the reigns, but he was unable to turn their fortunes around and was sacked after nine matches.
Club legend Maloney decided to step into the position at the end of January and has started to bring some positive results to the pitch. Wigan have lost just three of their last 10 matches - a considerable improvement on their form at the start of the campaign.
