After speculation the EFL have now confirmed Derby County’s formal points deduction after the club announced it intended to go into administration on Friday.
In a statement the EFL stated they had “already held initial constructive discussions with the Administrators and will remain in regular dialogue with them as they seek to find the appropriate solutions required to assist the club as it navigates its way out of insolvency.”
The 12-point deduction will be “immediately applied to Derby County Football Club’s 2021/22 season total” meaning a fighting start to the season leaves them on -2 but still six points from second-bottom Nottingham Forest and nine points from safety.
Wayne Rooney’s side were in turmoil over the summer as transfer sanctions forced them to release players and struggle to recruit.
Their season opened with a draw against Huddersfield Town and the defeat to Peterborough United, but since they had managed a respectable total of ten points including wins over Hull City and Stoke. They were in twelfth position before the sanction took effect.
EFL Chief Executive Trevor Birch went on the record to state that he appreciated “that this is a challenging and concerning period for everyone associated with the Club, particularly the staff and supporters, and it is our intention to work proactively with the Administrators and all relevant parties with the objective of securing a long-term and viable future for Derby County.
“We will endeavour to provide timely and relevant updates as appropriate and as and when events unfold over the coming weeks.”
In Derby’s own statement about moving into administration they had said they would now “appeal to the EFL to now assist the Club and the Administrators in any way they can in the effort to find a purchaser.”
In today’s comment the EFL have said they are “contacting representatives of Rams Trust (the Derby County Official Supporters Trust), DCMS, MPs from the Derby area and other relevant stakeholders inviting them to meet the League to discuss the club’s position.”