Can’t see this anywhere. Barnsley report Reading to EFL?

I've only skim read the thread, so haven't particularly followed the debate regarding this.

My personal view is that the fundamental issue is that it's fine for us to make representations on this, but I'd prefer us to do it privately to the EFL or as part of a group of clubs raising the issue with them. Khaled speaking out in public about it, from our current position, looks like we're trying to find ways to make up for our on-field performance shortcomings this season, so it distracts from the main message being communicated, which is that this has been going on for years and the EFL have been generally useless, and also inconsistent, in how they've dealt with it. Decisions take ages, then have to wait for the independent panel to confirm or overturn them, which is an absolute farce of their own making. However, it's no worse now than it has been in several previous seasons. In fact, it's arguably better given that two clubs are currently sitting on points deductions applied within the current season, rather than towards or after the end of one.

This specific complaint seems to be about why 6 of the 12 point deduction applied to Reading has been deferred to next season, which is a very obvious one to be asking. However, the deduction was applied weeks ago, so going public about it now, rather than when originally applied, makes the complaint look very much related to our current league predicament. In reality, the question we're asking is whether or not that deferral is still appropriate, given that Reading appear to have now released results showing their failure to meet the conditions to which it applied. Once again, it looks to be a case where the EFL have failed to provided clear guidance on this ahead of it becoming a potential issue (i.e. they would have known when Reading were due to file accounts and should have specified dates to for this to be assessed within the original ruling to avoid the 'grey area' that we're now querying). Regardless, all of this could have been challenged by BFC without making headlines about it, which will undoubtedly detract from the underlying matter.

Given that we've twice retained Championship status in recent seasons due to points deductions applied to others, when our on field performance would have otherwise relegated us, then I'm not sure that there's another club out there who have directly benefitted from other club's points deductions more than we have in recent years. Additionally, the fact that our own owners have taken funds away from the operations of the football clubs weakens any moral position from which they choose to complain publicly about the actions of others. If our financial constraints are such a challenge to us in this division, as is implied, then choosing to make them worse whilst complaining about other clubs isn't the best overall look.

 

perfect summary I would say

 

The only thing I can say towards Reading. Derby had both their initial points and deferral taken off them this season. Hence the 21 points. If anybody should have beef it's Derby not us.

 

Don't the EFL have to sign off on any signing before it can be official though, especially when a club has been docked points? So if that is the case them signing more players after the initial deduction isn't necessarily breaching the rules. It's stupid of them to do so and seems unfair but if thats how the rules work then they are within their rights to do so. Regardless of what we think of that.

 

Fair comment but tbh the fact we’re benefitting as you put it so many times says to me Clubs aren’t learning or ignoring or don’t care about the rules .
If clubs pkay by the rules then the ones relegated are the ones that deserve it but as it stands some are cheating and I don’t care if it’s us or Wycombe or anybody else that matter who haven’t cheated gets to stay up and imho on merit .
Maybe we have asked the EFL in the background and it’s been unsatisfactory so we’ve made it public who knows .
I have great issues with the board on how our football club is being run but I ain’t going to call them out for bringing cheats to the fore whether privately or publicly in fact the more public the better as far as inn concerned .

 

Well obviously the charge is they’ve broken the rules so they must have .
It’s the penalty of that or lack of that’s being questioned by sounds of it .

 

The team saved by a points deduction last year
Derby.
The team that should have had the points deduction last year. Derby.
Btw. Wendy had it reduced. And still screwed up.
The ones to suffer this mismanagement of rules. Wycombe.
I have no sympathy for the fans. that blame other clubs for not acting in THEIR best interests. Take Wigan as an example.
Reason.
Yes we would all like billionaires to take us to the premier league. But be prepared to accept the rules. And if we break the rules accept the punishment as seen fit.

 

Been reading the statement which is here - https://www.efl.com/news/2021/november/efl-statement-reading-football-club/ from when they got the charge. It seems they were hit with 6 points with a further 6 to be taken if they breach more rules which the EFL would review.

Based on that, unless there is something really obvious in the last week or so the EFL has missed, we shouldn't be getting involved in this especially not in the public eye as it should be under review already by the EFL. I am not saying they do a good job the EFL, they clearly don't but this shouldn't be for us to be getting involved in.

As sheriff said, doing it now in public gives it the impression we are just doing it to save our skin. The punishment is fairly clearly laid out in the statement and subsequent agreed decision which is also on the link above. It was always set as 6 now with 6 later if they do more misdemeanours

 

That’s not right.

Just because Derby have had points deducted and other teams haven’t, every club in the league can and should be pissed off that a club punished for cheating, and with what is effectively a further suspended points deduction, isn’t having the additional deduction now - despite continuing to flout the rules by signing new players on expensive wages whilst barely getting anyone off the books, and by compensating sacked managers with money they have been shown not to have.

 

A further point on this - if anyone thinks it is only Barnsley taking this stand point, you are mistaken.

All the club has done is send a letter asking for clarification. Derby have already asked a similar question.

Plenty of other clubs will be looking on with interest. Peterborough for sure, but others too - the ones who cut their cloth accordingly generally speaking.

 

The second six points is what’s in contention I thought I’d made that clear that’s what I’d meant but obviously not .
And I hope the board stand on the EFLs steps with a megaphone as far as bringing this to attention .
As I said I don’t give a monkeys how we come across we haven’t cheated so nowt to be ashamed of .

 

The second 6 points was suspended though unless they did anything else wrong and the EFL set out guidelines in the agreed decision document, that was the final decision, will no appeal allowed. That was all clear from the start and that call was made months ago. Unless we have clear evidence that Reading have breached terms of this agreement with the EFL within the last few days/weeks we shouldn't be saying anything really as there isn't any chance of further deductions.

 

The point being BFC obviously think they have broken the conditions of the second points deduction hence the letter ,

 

Isn't that what Khaled has done though? Written a letter to the EFL, which seems to have made it's way to the Athletic journalist, but we don't know that BFC have leaked it.

The other 6 points haven't been deferred to next season, it's been suspended. So the issue is, if they have breached again this season, the penalty should apply this season. Of course the EFL could reply to say they have no evidence of further breaches, and that be the end of it. Would be good to know what has triggered the decision to write this letter, or even when the letter was sent.

 

Their points deduction from earlier this season was based upon their financial performance (and breaking FFP rules) in the 3 seasons 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. Based upon the formula laid down by FFP rules which excluded certain costs, clubs were allowed losses of up to £13m per year, that is £39m over 3 years. Reading broke those rules.

Last week they published their financial results for 2020-21 season. They showed losses of £35m and that follows a losses of £41m and £30m. Even though the rules have been loosened a little to allow for the increased losses resulting from COVID, there is not much doubt that they have been cheating again over the period 2018-19,2019-20 and 2020-21 and the numbers (before deductions) show losses of £106m. Their only defense as far as I can see is that they would have to stand points deductions against 2 separate seasons in a single season. However, my sympathies are lessened because the first deduction was delayed because they fought it tooth and nail, and that fight delayed the imposition of the penalty.

In my opinion, financial cheating is no different to bribing the match officials. It needs to be stopped because there is not a level playing field if one team breaks the financial rules, and the other does not.

 

I'd be surprised if the EFL weren't aware that another year of losses were about to be announced when they agreed on the points deduction. And not sure they can be punished for overlapping periods.

Question is, have they kept to the conditions of their agreement, when the 6 point penalty was suspended for 2 years. If they have, then the EFL can reply to BFC and that will be the end of it. If they haven't, then they should be docked another 6 points.

 

The Athletic article appears to quote Khaled directly on the topic. I'd class the CEO being quoted in an article as going public, and I've no reason to question The Athletic as a disreputable organisation (just one not worth paying a subscription fee to read).

 

But isn't that just a quote taken from the letter? It's not that they've asked him for comment, just they've got their hands on the letter.