Wigan is docked three points for failing to pay his players on time AGAIN

Wigan will face a double penalty for not paying players this month, which effectively bans them from the Championship and could see them start League One on minus points next season.

Sportsmail has learned the Championship club will be handed a three-point deduction this season after failing to pay wages on time for the fourth time in 10 months, and are also being charged by the EFL for yet another breach of their regulations. Players and staff at DW Stadium are understood to still not have been paid 10 days after the club described the delay as a “temporary matter”.

Wigan are twice fined as failing to pay players breaches EFL rules, while the club also failed to live up to the terms of the negotiated agreement they reached with the EFL in January.

This so-called “consensual decision” said that if wages were late again before the end of 2023, a suspended three-point deduction would be activated immediately.

Wigan were late in paying wages in June, July and October last year and offered a range of damage control excuses, including the impact of the platinum jubilee celebrations, security authentication issues and problems with their bank transfers.

Wigan will face a double penalty for not paying players, effectively banning them from the Championship and potentially leaving them with minus points from next year

The three-point deduction leaves Shaun Maloney’s side eight points behind safety

The club claimed the latest delay was “a temporary matter” last week when players didn’t receive their wages on March 10, but it is understood the payments are still outstanding 10 days later.

The three-point deduction will leave Shaun Maloney’s side eight points adrift of the safe end of the Championship with just 10 games left, having played a game more than many of their relegation rivals.

With an additional disciplinary sanction also pending and being heard by an independent commission, Wigan could face yet another point deduction, although that sanction won’t be imposed until next season.

Wigan have been plagued by financial difficulties for several years and history threatens to repeat itself at DW Stadium as they were relegated from the Championship three years ago after docking 12 points for entry into administration.