Urgent EFL investigation needed, demand Wigan Athletic Supporters Club

As things stand, Latics are looking at a 12-point deduction which would see them drop to the bottom of the Championship with five matches to go.

Of more pressing concern is finding money to help the club even reach the end of the campaign, before identifying a buyer that will hopefully bring stability to a crazy situation.

The statement reads as follows:

"Dear chair and chief executive,

"We, the undersigned, are writing to the EFL to request they make a formal statement acknowledging a full investigation into the events surrounding Wigan Athletic being placed into administration is required, before they consider whether the sanction placed on our football club may need to be reviewed.

"More importantly, we request you then commit to a full review of the EFL 'Owners and Directors Test' to ensure it is fit for purpose.

"The details of this case are subject to widespread sharing of facts and rumours alike, and we are not here to go into the details of the scandalous information that has surfaced about the takeover of our football club.

"However, we are absolutely clear that our motives in writing this letter are to ensure this is never allowed to happen again to another EFL club, and to ensure the survival of

Wigan Athletic Football Club.

"Indeed, the EFL Appendix 3 states its intention is to 'protect the image and integrity of the league and its competitions, the wellbeing of the clubs, and the interests of all of the stakeholders in those clubs'.

"In this case, it is inherently clear the test has failed to do the role for which it was intended.

"We therefore urge the EFL to make a statement now, regarding its intentions surrounding our case and propose to overhaul the 'Owners and Directors Test'.

"It is vital the EFL act now to ensure that other EFL clubs are not subjected to the appalling situation Wigan Athletic finds itself in.

"Finally, and most importantly, we would like to urgently request financial support from the EFL to secure the future of our football club while a suitable buyer is found.

"We desperately require assistance in paying the hardworking staff behind the scenes who are making sure the club can fulfil its fixtures for the remainder of the season.

"While our situation was not caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we now find ourselves unable to secure income from gate receipts due to the pandemic restrictions, which is exacerbating our financial issues.

"We would therefore appeal to the EFL to utilise its COVID impact funding to support Wigan Athletic Football Club in this case.

"We look forward to your response.

"Yours sincerely, Caroline Molyneux (chair) and Mick Wimsey (vice chair)."