Wigan Athletic have been deducted three points with immediate effect after failing to pay player salaries again in March.
The Latics, who were promoted to the Championship as League One champions last season, 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 Wigan to meet their obligations means the terms of the Agreed Decision they entered into with the EFL in January has been breached and the application of the suspended sporting sanction has been automatically triggered. It means they have automatically been docked three points, leaving them on 31 points.
The DW Stadium outfit, who have had three different permanent managers this season, including former Manchester City defender Kolo Toure, are now eight points adrift of safety with just eight games of the season remaining. They appointed former midfielder Shaun Maloney as Toure's successor in late January but he has won just one of his opening ten games in charge, leaving them rooted to the foot of the table.
Saturday's 1-1 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road stretched their winless run to eight matches. They have not won since beating fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town 1-0 on February 11.
A statement released by the EFL added: "In a further breach of the Agreed Decision, the Club's owner has failed to deposit an amount equal to 125 per cent 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."
It is understood that Maloney is currently in Bahrain for talks with the club's owners to seek clarity on the situation. The Latics are next in action on Saturday, April 1, hosting QPR.
