Wigan have lost their appeal against a 12-point deduction and been relegated from the Sky Bet Championship, with Barnsley staying up as a result.
The Latics, who were docked the points when they entered administration on July 1, will play in Sky Bet League One next season.
An EFL statement read: "An independent arbitration panel has ruled that Wigan's 12-point deduction for entering administration last month will stand after dismissing the club's appeal against the sporting sanction.
"The decision of the arbitration panel is final and legally binding."
Wigan had appealed on the grounds of 'force majeure', which classes acts and events beyond the control of the involved parties - such as a pandemic - but the arbitration panel upheld the EFL's decision to dock 12 points.
The statement continued: “The reason for this approach was due to the administration taking place after the fourth Thursday in March.
“In such circumstances EFL regulations state that, in the event a club is relegated by virtue of their final position following the conclusion of the league campaign, then the deduction would apply in the following season.
“As the club was not in the relegation places following the last round of Championship fixtures, the sanction was then applied to their 2019-20 total which resulted in a 23rd-placed finish.
“In cases of insolvency, the panel does not determine the timing of the sanction as it can in independent disciplinary proceedings.”
Sky Bet Championship: how it looks
- Premier League relegated clubs: Bournemouth, Watford, Norwich
- Championship promoted clubs: Leeds, West Brom, Fulham/Brentford
- Championship relegated clubs: Wigan, Charlton, Hull
- League One promoted clubs: Coventry, Rotherham, Wycombe
The appeal was held on Friday where, in a five-point statement, it was revealed that one of the administrators, Gerald Krasner, held an hour-long video meeting with Wigan owner Au Yeung Wai Kay as part of their investigation into the club’s situation.
Joint administrators Krasner and Paul Stanley both gave witness statements and were cross-examined by the tribunal.
It was also revealed that “detailed talks” with bidders over the sale of the club were to continue this week.
Paul Cook resigned as manager at the end of the season, with his former number two Leam Richardson set to take charge on an interim basis alongside coaches Anthony Barry and Nick Colgan when the team returns to training next week.
