Barnsley's Championship safety confirmed as Wigan Athletic appeal rejected

The punishment means the Latics finished 23rd in the division, and will go down with Hull City and Charlton Athletic.

Barnsley won their final match of the season with a stoppage-time goal from Clarke Odour to finish a point outside of the bottom three once Wigan's punishment was taken into account.

But the Latics appealed the ruling, arguing that covid-19 had brought unforeseen circumstances. At 5pm on Tuesday it was confirmed they had lost their appeal.

"The decision of the arbitration panel is final and legally binding," said a statement from the Football League.

Barnsley were allowed to make representations to the hearing because a successful appeal would have lead to their relegation.

Chinese businessman Au Yeung Wai Kay bought Wigan in May, during the coronavirus lockdown. The club went into administration on July 1.

The Barnsley hierarchy have been very vocal in their criticism of the Football League's governance this year.

They were unhappy it took so long to come to a decision over Sheffield Wednesday's misconduct charge for the circumstances around the sale and lease back of their Hillsborough ground. The Owls sold their historic home to club owner Dejphon Chansiri to allow them to avoid punishment for running up too much debt in a three-year period, but the deal was found to have gone through a year after it was accounted for.

The club was charged in November, with the case heard in June. Last week they were docked 12 points but with their season having completed, the punishment will not be applied until next term, sparing them relegation from League One.

Wednesday have 14 days from being receiving the written reasons for the verdict to decide whether to appeal. Charlton are considering a legal challenge against the punishment being delayed until next season, with reports they have the support of at least eight clubs. The Owls finished eight points above the relegation zone.

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