According to the Daily Mail, Derby County could still face a points deduction if the EFL are successful in their appeal against the verdict of an independent panel.
The Rams were charged of breaching spending rules on the ‘amortisation of intangible assets’ while their sale of Pride Park also caused complaints to the EFL.
Derby were ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing.
But the EFL have since appealed the decision, with Telegraph reporter John Percy claiming last week how the latest legal battle was to proceed before an independent panel.
Plenty of questions have been asked of what could happen if Derby are found guilty.
While a fine is the most plausible outcome, the Daily Mail claim there is still the possibility of a points deduction with Derby vowing to rigorously resist the EFL appeal.
The Rams currently sit just five points above the Championship drop zone.
It felt Derby had pulled well clear of the bottom three following a run of five wins in six games at the beginning of last month, but a winless run of seven has dragged them back in.
The injury to Krystian Bielik has played a major role in Derby’s decline of late.
Any points deduction this season, as unlikely as it seems, would put Rooney’s side in real danger of relegation to League One unless they can rediscover their top form.
With home games against Luton Town, Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday to come, Derby’s Championship status is certainly still in their hands.
Going forward, the failed takeover from BZI could put the club in a difficult financial position this summer while Rooney will surely be looking to improve Derby’s fragile squad.
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