Soccer-Bolton handed suspended points deduction for failing to play fixtures

Bolton Wanderers have been handed a suspended five-point deduction and financial penalties after being found guilty of failing to fulfill their fixtures against Brentford and Doncaster Rovers this year, the English Football League (EFL) has said. Bolton's final Championship (second tier) match last season against Brentford was postponed and later cancelled after players boycotted the game over unpaid wages.

This season, their fourth League One game against Doncaster in August was postponed as the club, who fielded only three senior players in a game three days earlier, was concerned about the welfare of their younger players. "The independent panel has ruled that Bolton Wanderers will be subject to a two-point deduction for the fixture against Brentford and a further three points for the match against Doncaster Rovers," the EFL said in a statement https://www.efl.com/news/2019/november/efl-statement-bolton-wanderers.

"Both penalties are suspended for 18 months and will not be activated as long as the club is not subject to a further misconduct charge for non-fulfillment of fixtures in that timeframe." The club was also fined a total of 70,000 pounds ($90,426) in penalties for not playing the two fixtures, with half the amount suspended for 18 months.

Bolton, who started this season with a 12-point deduction after going into administration, are bottom of the standings with one point after 14 games and play Accrington Stanley on Saturday. ($1 = 0.7741 pounds)

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