ONE of Oxford United’s third tier rivals next season will begin the campaign on minus eight points.

Last week, Wigan Athletic were handed a four-point deduction after failing to pay player wages on time this month.

However, that has now become eight points.

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An EFL statement read: “Following the failure to ensure that an amount equal to 125 per cent of the club’s forecast monthly wage bill was deposited in a designated club account by May 24, as per the order of an Independent Disciplinary Commission, Wigan Athletic Football Club has been deducted a further four points and will now start the 2023/24 season on minus eight points.

“This follows a previous sanction of four points after failing to pay its players’ wages on time in March 2023 and May 2023.

“The EFL has spent the past 48 hours in dialogue with the club in an attempt to find a positive outcome to the issue but as of 9am Friday morning the required funds have not been deposited.”

The club said in their own statement: “We are extremely disappointed with this latest decision.

“The football club has been very transparent with the EFL who have had clear visibility of the eight-figure sum to finance the remainder of this season and the whole of next season.

“The club will now consider all options open, including legal action in response to this, and will make no further comment at this time.”

Wigan finished bottom of the Championship last season after a three-point deduction in the 2022/23 campaign.