Derby administrators forked out whopping six-figure sum on points penalty appeal that was SCRAPPED
ADMINISTRATORS at crisis club Derby shelled out a whopping £339,000 on a points penalty appeal... that was SHELVED.
The eye-watering sum is revealed in a report by Quantuma on spending during their seven-month period in charge of the Championship club.
An ill-conceived challenge to Rams’ 12-point penalty for going into administration was based on an argument put forward by former owner Mel Morris that Covid had affected their finances.
Despite no club ever winning an appeal against that penalty — or even reducing it — the administrators pressed on for weeks, racking up costs.
Lawyers Freeths’ bill was almost £225,000 and their assistants Ankura Consulting charged £114,000 for helping prepare witness statements.
Quantuma eventually pulled out of the appeal and accepted the penalty.
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Manager Wayne Rooney wants to stay at Derby in League One as long as a takeover happens.
The Rams' relegation was confirmed after losing 1-0 at QPR, with Reading's point against Swansea having trailed 4-1 enough to send Derby down.
Despite feeling disappointed and sad that the inevitable day has come, Rooney is still looking at the positives.
He praised the fans for their unwavering support all season in the face of severe adversity - with Derby having 21 points deducted.
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Asked how he felt following relegation, Rooney said: "Proud. It's a strange feeling because everything we've been through as a group, the development of the team has been really positive.
"I've never seen a team get relegated and have a reaction from the fans like that. I thought it was incredible.
"Of course disappointed, sad, upset but proud."