The Rams have been locked in a bitter battle with the Football League for months but an end could now be in sight
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Rooney takes up full-time managerial role at Derby
Derby County are set to be hit by a 12-point penalty, according to reports emerging tonight.
The Championship side have been locked in a legal wrangle with the EFL for well over a year. It relates to a breach of financial regulations by the East Midlands club.
They were initially charged in early 2020 and subsequently cleared. The EFL then appealed part of the charge, resulting in a £100,000 fine this summer.
They were also told to re-submit three years’ worth of accounts.
Now, the Mail claims that a nine-point handicap is set to be handed down this season with a further three points suspended until the 2022-23 campaign.
The report says: “Discussions over an agreed business plan remained ongoing on Wednesday night and agreement remained elusive.
“Sources disclosed there is a widespread belief the end is now in sight, with both club and league expecting to make an announcement later this week.”
The Rams are already under a transfer embargo that has limited the recruitment by manager Wayne Rooney.
Nevertheless, Rooney’s side have made a better-than-expected start to the season. They have seven points from seven games, the latest of which came in Tuesday night’s stalemate with leaders West Brom.
Should County be hit with a nine-point penalty before Saturday’s round of matches, Rooney’s side would go bottom on minus-two points.
Rooney has made no secret of his frustration at the off-field dramas at Derby. As well as the legal wrangles with the league, County have also been the subject of multiple botched takeover bids.
Speaking last month Rooney said: “We are trying to move this club forward both on and off the pitch. My job is to focus on the pitch, so I can do my job and hope other people do theirs.”
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