Wigan Athletic have gone into administraton. The Latics sit 14th in the EFL Championship table on 50 points, but face a 12-point deduction, the penalty for entering administration, which would drop them to the bottom of the table.

The club are now run by businessman Wai Kay Au Yeung after the IEC consortium he was part of bought the club from Dave Whelan in 2018 for £15.9 million. The new boss, who has a 75 percent stake in the holding company of the Greater Manchester outfit, oversaw Wigan's promotion from League One last year.

Less than a month later and a week after being announced as majority owner, the Hong Kong businessman appointed Gerald Krasner and Paul Stanley as administrators with new ownership being sought.

Co-administrators release statements on state of the club

In a statement, Krasner said:

"Our objectives are to ensure the club complete all its fixtures this season and to urgently find parties to save Wigan Athletic FC and the jobs of the people who work for the club. Obviously the suspension of the Championship season due to COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the recent fortunes of the club.

"Wigan Athletic has been a focal point and source of pride for the town since 1932 and anyone who is interested in buying this sporting institution should contact the joint administrators immediately."

Stanley spoke exclusively to Sky Sports News and said he's confident that new buyers would emerge for the club.

"There's been a change of ownership recently and from what we can see they have just decided they don't want to fund the club anymore. But it's a well-run club. They have an experienced board and chairman that has been around for 10 years so we're fairly certain we can find a buyer and finish the football season."

Former owner reacts to news

Whelan bought Wigan in 1995 and in his 23 years of ownership of his local club, oversaw a rise through the divisions culminating in promotion to the Premier League in 2005 as well as a shock FA Cup win over Manchester City in 2013.

When reached for comment, the 83-year old said, "I am going to have to see if I can help in any shape, way or form" while adding he was "in total shock" over the club's situation."

EFL outlines guidelines for points deduction

Shortly after the news was announced, the EFL set the structure for Wigan's 12-point deduction on the basis of whether the Latics drop into the third tier or not. They currently hover eight points above the drop zone. 

"If in the event the club is relegated by virtue of their final position following the Championship season, then the deduction will apply in League One in 2020/21. However if the club is not in the relegation places following the final game of the season, the sanction will then be applied to their season total and final league standing amended as appropriate. 

"The EFL is awaiting formal notification from the administrators and once the league has received this it will commence discussions with the relevant individuals with the aim of achieving a long-term future for the club."

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