'Will not be accepted' - Championship club send furious letter to EFL about Derby County

The Rams have been mentioned in a strongly-worded letter to League chiefs

Championship bottom club Barnsley have written a furious letter to the EFL with reference to Derby County.

That's according to The Guardian, who say the Tykes have made it clear to League bosses that they will not accept relegation if the season is not restarted, citing the investigations into Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday as their reason.

Barnsley feel it would be unfair for them to be relegated while the EFL are yet to conclude on the investigations revolving around the Rams and the Owls and the sale of their stadiums, and whether their actions were an illegal loophole to comply with FFP sanctions.

The worst possible sanction if found to be in the wrong is a fine and a points deduction, which could take Wednesday into the bottom three and the Rams very close to it.

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And that's why Barnsley, who feel two of their rivals have not played by the rules, are unhappy.

The Yorkshire club have now written a strongly-worded letter to the EFL, making it clear they will not accept relegation.

The Guardian obtained the letter from the Tykes board, which read: "Our perspective has alarmed us to the fact that rule adherence and proper governance of violations is appallingly worse here in England than counterparts in France, Belgium and Switzerland.

“A key element of La Liga’s large revenue growth in the last five years is its strict observance of relegation when rules are broken (including unpaid player wages, transfer fees, filing of timely financial statements, and unbalanced or unfunded budgets). How can anyone use the phrase ‘sporting integrity’ or the word ‘fair’ in any relegation scenario if the games aren’t played?

“This is a scenario that will not be passively accepted. Two to three clubs pending punishments from EFL charges could change the current status of the Championship table.”

The EFL are keen for the Championship season to be resumed with players now resuming training after beginning tests last week.

But should things not go to plan, a non-weighted points-per-game method will be used to determine final positions.

That would relegate Barnsley - who are seven points from safety in the live table - while Derby and Wednesday would be safe, pending any points deduction punishment.

Derby and Sheffield Wednesday both strongly deny any wrongdoing.