Derby County's administrators are set to reluctantly accept a heavy points deduction which will all but relegate the club to League One.
After weeks of talks with the Football League, Derby are close to agreeing another deduction of 9 points, plus a further suspended three points,
for historical financial breaches under former owner Mel Morris.
This latest punishment will take their total penalty points to -21, which will put Derby on minus three points and leave them marooned at the bottom of the table with relegation from the Championship appearing inevitable.
Final negotiations are being held over the proposed business plan, which includes restrictions on spending, transfer and losses, and once that is agreed an official announcement will follow.
Derby's administrators, Quantuma, and the EFL declined to comment, though the EFL said matters were ongoing.
Wayne Rooney, the Derby manager, will now be facing a huge task to lift his squad with the second points deduction likely to prove a significant blow to his hopes of avoiding relegation.
Derby have already been hit with a
12-point deduction after entering administration in September, and the proposed appeal by Quantuma was adjourned earlier this week. That appeal is now set to be dropped altogether.
Quantuma were also intending to contest the threat of further points for breaching the EFL's profitability & sustainability rules but they are now close to reaching an 'agreed decision', with confirmation expected in the next few days.
It is understood that Quantuma have made their decision after receiving legal advice: they now believe the best solution for a potential sale is to accept the punishment, in order for closure and to provide certainty for any interested parties.
Derby are talking to at least three separate consortiums over a possible takeover, and the long-running saga with the EFL - which initially started in January 2020 - has proved a disruptive backdrop.
Rooney had inspired a spirited response from his players at the start of the season when the club's administration was confirmed, but Derby have won only once in their last nine matches.
The second points deduction will leave them 14 points behind second-bottom Barnsley and 18 behind Peterborough, who are just outside the relegation zone.
Derby return to Championship action on Sunday week with a home game against league leaders Bournemouth.
