Championship club West Bromwich Albion have been docked two points by the English Football League for breaking profit and sustainability rules.
The deduction means Albion are now not safe from relegation, having previously thought the midweek win over Watford had secured their second-tier status.
The Baggies had been charged for exceeding the £39m loss limit for the three seasons to 2024-25, allegations which the club denied.
But during a two-day hearing, an independent club financial review panel (CFRP) found Albion's losses "did exceed the upper loss threshold" and recommended a two-point penalty.
That leaves Albion in 20th place in the table, six points above the relegation zone with two games to play, needing one more point to seal survival.
They host promotion-chasing Ipswich Town on Saturday before visiting already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season.
West Brom have two weeks to appeal against the deduction and should they do so, a decision on said appeal will then not be made for up to 28 days.
After reports first emerged 10 days ago that the club could face a charge over their accounts for last season, Albion said they had “fully complied” with the EFL’s P&S rules.
In a statement on Friday, the club said they stand by that belief.
"The club disagrees with the CFRP's findings and remains of the view that it has fully complied with the profitability and sustainability rules," Albion said.
"The decision does not state the amount by which the club is said to have exceeded the upper loss threshold.
"West Bromwich Albion has not been informed of the quantum of the breach, save that this is less than £2million.
"This is therefore the smallest ever breach of the P&S rules across the EFL Championship and the Premier League."
- Latest West Bromwich Albion news, analysis and fan views
- Listen to West Bromwich Albion content on BBC Sounds
