WANDERERS will NOT be immediately docked points by the EFL for failing to fulfil fixtures against Brentford and Doncaster Rovers.

It has emerged this evening that the Whites will be hit with a five-point SUSPENDED penalty, which leaves Keith Hill’s side clear to continue their quest for League One survival this season.

The decision, made by an independent disciplinary commission, has seemingly gone down badly with several other key figures in the division.

But Bolton – who will also be hit with financial penalties, some of which will also be suspended – can now concentrate on clawing back the ground lost after they were docked points for going into administration in May.

A statement from the league read: “An independent Disciplinary Commission, appointed under EFL Regulations, has ruled that Bolton Wanderers will be handed a sanction of five points, suspended for 18 months, and a financial penalty as a result of being deemed guilty of breaching EFL Regulations in failing to meet its fixture obligations.

“The Commission’s findings follow the consideration of a series of charges in relation to Regulation 31 and the non-fulfilment of two fixtures over the course of two seasons with the first in reference to the Club’s failure to meet its requirements for the scheduled 2018/19 Championship fixture with Brentford, while further charges were issued in September 2019, after the Club failed to fulfil its League One fixture against Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday 20 August 2019.

“At a hearing on Thursday, November 14, 2019, the Club pleaded guilty to the charges and, after hearing representations from both parties, 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. 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-fulfilment of fixtures in that timeframe.”

Wanderers’ financial penalty includes £20,000 and £50,0000 fines handed out for the two respective fixtures, with half of the amounts due also suspended for 18 months.

The EFL reserve the right to appeal the decision but have confirmed that the Doncaster game will be rescheduled as soon as possible.