Wigan hit with 8-POINT deduction after failing to pay players for a fifth time as they prepare for life in League One

WIGAN have been handed a four-point deduction for next season after failing to pay players for a FIFTH time.

The Latics will also trigger a further suspended four-point deduction should they fail to pay players again.

Shaun Maloney's side were relegated from the Championship this term amid a backdrop of financial difficulties.

Owner Abdulrahman Al Jasmi has consistently failed to pay players and staff in recent months.

According to the , Al Jasmi must deposit a total amounting to 125 per cent of Wigan's wage bill each month next season to avoid the Latics being docked a further four points on top of the four they will already lose at the start of the campaign.

He has also been fined £10,000 for breaking league rules, while Wigan have also been deducted a further three points from their final 2022-23 tally.

An EFL statement read: "In addition, the Club has also had a further three points deducted from its 2022/23 Championship total for the late payment of players’ wages in March 2023 resulting in their final total being 39 points.

"Mr Al Jasmi was also charged with Misconduct and fined £10,000 for failing to comply with the terms of the Agreed Decision.

"Both Mr Al Jasmi and the Club have accepted the sanctions, which have been ratified by an independent Disciplinary Commission, and have agreed to pay all associated costs.

"In January, the Club was charged with Misconduct after it paid its players late on three occasions in June, July and October 2022.

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"Accordingly, it was sanctioned with a suspended three-point deduction and entered an Agreed Decision with the League.

"The suspended sanction was activated in March when the Club failed to meet its contractual obligations with its players and breached the terms of the Agreed Decision when Mr Al Jasmi failed to deposit 125 per cent of the Club’s forecast of its monthly wage bill into a designated account."

Wigan are likely to have to offload numerous players this summer, with the club facing an uncertain start to life back in League One.

Without their points deductions during the 2022-23 campaign, Wigan would have finished on 45 points - more than Blackpool and Reading.

The Royals were also handed a six-point deduction for their own rule breaches.