(Credit: Imago/talkSPORT)

Jacob Raw

Tue 28 April 2026 17:30, UK

Kieran Maguire believes that West Bromwich Albion were over the EFL’s PSR limit by less than £1million following their recent points deduction.

The Baggies announced that they had officially been given a two-point deduction by the EFL last week, as fear among supporters has been rife recently.

There was initially talks of Albion being deducted up to four points this campaign, but following the 0-0 draw against Ipswich Town, they remain a Championship club, despite being docked two points.

James Morrison is heavily to thank for leading the Black Country Club out of this mess, and Shilen Patel may even consider giving the interim head coach the role on a permanent basis.

Regardless, West Brom fans have been infuriated with the EFL following their decision, as Maguire’s calculations have the Baggies looking very hard done by.

Kieran Maguire says legal costs in hundreds of thousands amid PSR breach

West Brom had an official hearing over the legal matter recently, and were quick to find out their fate was a two-point deduction.

Championship clubs have been fined in the past for such breaches, but the Baggies don’t seem to have had any more money taken away from them.

While speaking on The Price of Football podcast, finance expert Maguire revealed some of the investigating that he’s done into the matter.

Maguire said: “It looks like the EFL has backdated some of this, which seems harsh, but some of the rules have been in place for the current season. If that is the case, based on my calculations, I reckon West Brom are less than £1m over the limit.

“I spoke to one of our secret lawyers over the weekend, and he said the legal costs will be running into the hundreds of thousands. We’ve got a farcical situation, a club has a very minor breach and has been sanctioned as a result. legal costs have been incurred, and it’s all very messy.”

He mentioned it will most likely be one of the smallest breaches of regulations in EFL history, and that they have also almost been saved by the fact that West Brom have managed to stay up.

The finance expert suggested the EFL may have had questions to answer had three clubs gone down with points deductions.

What Shilen Patel’s focus needs to be from now on

Patel sold big-name players last summer for the big bucks, including Torbjorn Heggem and Tom Fellows, and hopefully that will help the Baggies moving forward.

However, Albion fans won’t be expecting lots of money to be spent in the upcoming transfer window, and that’s fine, but neat business can still be conducted.

The highest earners simply need to be forced out the club and replaced by younger players who have high sell-on potnetial.

Having the right balance between youth and experience is crucial, but West Brom remaining in the Championship is the main thing at the end of the day.

The Baggies should forget about a promotion push next season, and instead focus on building and developing players for the benefit of financial pressure being eased.