Bolton Wanderers will escape further punishment for failing to fulfil fixtures against Brentford and Doncaster as the EFL appeal against their suspended points deduction has failed.
The EFL were keen to impose a harsher penalty on the Trotters over the failure to fulfil the two fixtures and appealed against the original sanction of a five-point deduction suspended for 18 months and a fine.
Despite their intention, the EFL announced on Tuesday that an arbitration panel had upheld the original decision of the disciplinary commission, meaning no further punishment. They will be docked five further points if they have another misdemeanour, but having moved away from their troubles that seems unlikely.
Bolton are currently bottom of League One with seven points but suffered a 12-point deduction for going into administration at the end of last season. They’re 17 points from safety and look likely to be relegated to League Two, along with ailing Southend who have only amassed nine points without a deduction.
Bolton chairman Sharon Brittan said: “We are pleased that this decision brings to an end the uncertainty regarding the original conclusion of the Disciplinary Commission. The case was one of the major legacy issues we inherited at the Club and we welcome the opportunity to be able to move forward.
“Our attention can now be completely focused on the pitch as we strive to retain our status in Sky Bet League One.”
The league’s statement said, “Discussions will now continue with EFL clubs to formalise a scale of sporting sanctions for breaches of relevant EFL regulations, relating to non-payment of debts and non-fulfilment of fixtures, in future.”
Doncaster, who found out about their game being postponed on Sky Sports News, released their own statement, which read: “We backed the EFL’s appeal, believing the decision has the ability to undermine the integrity of the competition, and will now review the panel’s findings.
The row seems likely to rumble on, even if there are to be no further sanctions. Some fans of League One clubs, notably Doncaster, feel aggrieved at what they perceive to be preferential treatment for the Trotters, whilst Bolton fans are obviously delighted with the outcome.
A selection of the best responses can be found below.
Gives licence for any EFL club to cancel a fixture the day before for no credible reason (e.g. players being tired)
Hopefully we'll see new, enforceable rules and proper fines introduced from next season.
And to the @EFL – congrats on another bodged situation of your own making!— Rob Williams (@bobjimwilly) January 7, 2020
Phew, now we at least have the dignity of being relegated on our own terms.
— Howard (@iBreezeblock) January 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/Leigh_Wigan/status/1214523608166473728
https://twitter.com/DonnellyJimmy84/status/1214503480410460162
Morally and legally the correct decision
— Treemendoza (@BobTree37) January 7, 2020
Now from the negative of signings for next season…let's turn this one around and stay up #COYWM #bwfc
— Ian Ainsworth (@ian_ainsworth) January 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/casson1983/status/1214528239433072640
Bored of this now. The game won’t matter to either team anyway, Bolton going down and we’re not doing much.
— Rob Smith (@SmithRob7) January 7, 2020
