Derby fined GBP 100,000 for accounting irregularities

An independent disciplinary committee has fined championship club Derby County GBP 100,000 for accounting irregularities.

Derby County's Martyn Waghorn (centre) celebrates with his team-mates after scoring a goal during a Championship contest against Sheffield Wednesday in May, 2021. - GETTY IMAGES

An independent disciplinary committee has fined championship club Derby County GBP 100,000 (USD 139,670) for accounting irregularities but the club has escaped a points deduction, the league said late on Wednesday.

Both Derby and the English Football League (EFL) have the right to appeal the panel's decision, meaning the Rams are still at risk of being relegated to League One (third-tier) if the EFL uses the option and calls for a points deduction.

Derby was cleared of financial misconduct last year but the EFL appealed against the decision to a tribunal and in May won the element of the case regarding the amortisation of players' registrations during their time at the club.

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"The Disciplinary Commission has announced that the sanction to be imposed in respect of those breaches, is a financial penalty of GBP 100,000 to be paid to the EFL and a reprimand for the Club as to its future conduct regarding the preparation of its Annual Accounts," the EFL said in a statement.

Derby has also been ordered to file restated accounts for financial years ending June 30, 2016, 2017, and 2018 "together with updated profit and sustainability calculations if necessary," the EFL added.

The EFL said that it had made an interchangeable fixture list for the 2021-22 season for Derby and Wycombe Wanderers, while the disciplinary process is finalised.

Derby ended last season one point above the relegation zone, while Wycombe was relegated to League One along with Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday.