Birmingham City have been hit by a nine-point deduction for breaches of EFL financial rules - putting their Championship future under risk.
The transfer embargo that was hanging over their heads has now been lifted but the penalty has left Garry Monk's side sweating over their league position.
No fine will imposed either.
The former Swansea City and Leeds United boss was hamstrung in the transfer market after the Blues fell foul of the EFL last summer by spending more than £2million on Danish defender Kristian Pedersen while under a soft embargo, report BirminghamLive.
The Blues exceeded the limits on spending over a three-year period, with losses capped at £39m.
The EFL were pushing for 12 points, but the ruling settled on nine.
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It leaves the Midlands outfit perilously close to the relegation zone. They now sit 18th, with 41 points from their 38 games played.
That puts them five points above the drop zone with eight games to go.
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