'EFL hands are tied over owners' test'

Latics' plunge into administration rocked the footballing world - especially so soon after a change of ownership.

And it led many to question why their league's governing body doesn't have stricter rules in place before they allow clubs to change hands.

Kieran Maguire, author of the Price of Football, says the EFL could reduce the risk of owners suddenly walking away by introducing a £5m bond.

But he points out regulations could only be changed with clubs' permission - and it may not be in their own best interests to bring in tougher financial measures.

"Let's say we suggest there's a deposit of £5m which clubs don't get back until they've satisfied the regulators," said Maguire.

"But some owners are not going to vote for a new set of rules which makes it more difficult for them to sell their club.

"They may want to sell in the next 12 or 24 months' time, and they're going to want to get the best price.

"More regulation like that reduces the appeal of buying a football club, and potentially has an impact on the price."

Will loan be wiped?

The written judgement into Latics' failed appeal against the 12 point deduction provided an insight into the background of the club's administration.

It showed owner Au Yeung Wai Kay met administrators before he had even taken control, and then lied to the EFL and the club's UK directors about his plan.

Maguire, who co-hosts the Price of Football podcast, said: "I've got a lot of sympathy for the EFL because ultimately they were definitely lied to by Au Yeung.

"The tests are very objective in the sense of, 'Is there evidence of criminal conviction? No. Is there evidence of funding?'

"I could show you a bank account where I've got £30m in it and you'd say, 'You've got the funds to support a club'.

"It's easy to prove you've got money, but there's nothing compelling them to spend the money, and under the (current) rules the EFL administrators have got a tricky role to play in that regard."