Birmingham City have landed a nine-point deduction which has made a significant impact to the Championship table.
Blues are set to be found guilty of breaking the Profitability and Sustainability regulations which were introduced in March 2017.
The rules are there to keep clubs afloat essentially and it’s believed Birmingham were over the £13m per year losses permissible.
Garry Monk highlights one major advantage that Bristol City have over their top six rivals
There were rumours of a 12-point deduction but now sources have confirmed to Birmingham Live that there will be a docking of nine points.
Birmingham were previously seven points adrift of the play-offs before their punishment and whilst those hopes of a top-six finish were slim, now they are over.
For Bristol City, who Blues beat 2-1 at Ashton Gate in February , it narrows their rivals for the play-offs heading into the final 10 games of the season.
While Birmingham can appeal the decision, it’s unlikely given the speculation of the higher punishment and the fact that a docking of points now is better than next season.
Garry Monk's side have dropped down from 13th to 18th in the Championship and now sit just five points above the relegation zone.
Three teams in Wigan, Millwall and Reading separate Birmingham from Rotherham United in 22nd.
It’s particularly good news for Rotherham as it means an extra team has been brought into the relegation battle with eight games remaining. Whilst Birmingham are still in a good position to survive, the teams now around them have been handed a boost following the points deduction.
