Wigan Athletic skipper: This isn't over yet!

Barely 12 hours after the 3-0 victory over Stoke that lifted Latics up to 14th in the Championship table – eight points clear of the drop zone – the administrators were called in by Next Leader Fund LP, who only bought the club from IEC last month.

Given the likelihood of a 12-point deduction, relegations fears have now resurfaced – and that’s if the club is even able to fulfil its remaining fixtures.

Morsy and his team-mates, though, are up for the fight more than ever.

“Time to fight now more than ever,” the Egypt international midfielder tweeted. “Full belief In this group.”

The message was retweeted by forward Gavin Massey, with left-back Antonee Robinson immediately showing his support.

“Not wrong skip,” he echoed. “Keep giving all we can.”

Centre-half Chey Dunkley – currently sidelined with a broken leg, and whose contract officially expired on Tuesday – also remains firmly on side.

“In unprecedented times we’ll stay strong and keep fighting,” he messaged.

Midfielder Joe Williams tweeted: “Fight till the end.”

And goalkeeper Jamie Jones chimed in with: “One of the best groups I’ve been involved with! We won’t stop fighting and believing.”

A quite extraordinary day began with the calling of a mystery 1pm press conference at the DW Stadium, which was pre-empted by a 12.30pm announcement that the club had been placed in administration.

Paul Stanley, Gerald Krasner and Dean Watson from Begbies Traynor, who have now assumed charge, then fielded questions from the assembled media. And the EFL duly issued a statement of their own.

“As a result of Wigan Athletic confirming they have entered into administration, the club will be subject to a 12-point deduction and, in accordance with EFL Regulations, the timing of the sporting sanction can only be determined once final league placings in the Championship are determined,” it read.

“If in the event the club is relegated by virtue of their final position following the conclusion of the Championship season, then the deduction will apply in League One in 2020/21.

“If the club is not in the relegation places following the final game of season, the sanction will be then be applied to their season 2019/20 total and final league standings 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.”