Derby County set for another points deduction as appeal 'to fall on deaf ears' - The Mirror

The beleaguered Championship side entered administration in September and are rock-bottom of the table, currently nine points adrift of safety

Derby County's appeal against a 12-point deduction is unlikely to be successful but a further punishment is expected to be more lenient than first thought.

The Championship side entered administration in September and were immediately hit with the 12-point handicap that comes as standard with such a move.

But there was concern that another 12-point docking could have followed, for a separate breach of the EFL's financial regulations.

That would have taken the form of an initial nine-point handicap with a suspended three-point deduction.

However, the Athletic now report that the club are "increasingly confident" that the extra punishment will be capped at just three points.

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Of course that does little to help Wayne Rooney's side in the short-term. They are currently bottom of the table with six points and a further three-point deduction would mean they are 12 points adrift of safety.

The report adds that the EFL are likely to inform Derby’s administrators of their verdict by the end of this month, maybe even next week during the international break.

Simmering away in the background at Pride Park is the ongoing desire to find new owners. American businessman Chris Kirchner is the current front-runner and has visited the club several times, speaking to Rooney.

This week it emerged that former Rangers shareholders Sandy and James Easdale are heading a consortium who are also interested in buying the East Midlands club.

Speaking about his interactions with Kirchner, Rooney recently told the BBC : "He was at a game last week. I spent a bit of time with him. He's got some really good ideas.

"He is a very good businessman and I am sure he wouldn't be putting his name to a public statement (letter) if he didn't mean what he is trying to do at the club."

The administrators will be keen for a deal to be concluded prior to the January transfer window, so that the club can strengthen the squad and attempt to put up a decent fight against relegation in the face of such a big handicap.

On the pitch, Rooney's side earned a battling point at Millwall on Saturday but it extended their winless run to seven games.

Festy Ebosele's opener was cancelled out by a goal from former Derby player Scott Malone. County's Nathan Byrne was dismissed in the second half but Derby held on for a hard-earned point.

The match was overshadowed following full-time when Derby announced that one of their players was subjected to alleged discriminatory abuse.

The incident was formally reported at the end of the match. Derby released a statement saying the unnamed player would receive "the club's full support".

Millwall also released a statement saying they were working with the Metropolitan Police to identify the fan involved.

They said: "Any individual found guilty of discriminatory abuse at The Den is issued with an immediate lifetime ban."