Birmingham City could face the prospect of a points deduction for the second successive season after being charged by the EFL over an alleged breach of financial regulations - which the club denies.
The Championship side were docked nine points last season for breaking the English Football League's profitability and sustainability rules, becoming the first club to be sanctioned under the new regulations.
And they could face a points deduction again this season, reports the Daily Telegraph , after being charged for failing to adhere to the business plan imposed by the EFL last March.
The plan, which was imposed at the start of last season and has remained in place since the points deduction, ensures that Birmingham have to disclose all financial dealings with the EFL.
And the Telegraph reports that the club has now been charged over alleged failures to lower their cost control, as part of the plan agreed with the EFL to “ensure future spending is within acceptable limits”.
Birmingham are currently 18th in the Championship, just six points clear of the relegation zone, so another points deduction would be a huge blow.
Pep Clotet's side beat Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup at the weekend, but their defeat to Wigan on New Year's Day was their fifth loss in six games.
They finished 17th in last year's Championship table, 12 points above the relegation zone, with the points deduction having cost them three league places.
