Former Wigan boss Roberto Martinez calls for EFL review

Former Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez, has called for the EFL to take action and review its responsibilities as a regulator to prevent other Football League clubs from entering a similar fate.

In an exclusive interview with ITV News, Roberto Martinez who played for the club from 1995 to 2001, before managing the Latics for four seasons between 2009 and 2013, has told Chris Hall of his "shock" after Wigan entered administration last week.

The Belgium head coach says the 'wonderful family club' is very special to him and that 'it is not normal' for this to happen.

Speaking of the current regulations in place, Martinez said they are 'not suited to the current times' and says there now has to be a review of the role and responsibility to be a football club owner in order to protect the history and structure of other Football League clubs.

DW Stadium, Wigan. Credit: PA

The Championship side face a 12-point deduction for entering administration, although when that sanction is applied depends on whether the club can achieve survival on the pitch.

The club are currently 16th in the league, and if they stay out of the bottom three the deduction will be applied to their final tally this season. If they are relegated, they would be docked the points at the start of their 2020-21 League One campaign.

The MP for Wigan and Labour's Shadow Foreign Secretary, Lisa Nandy, urged the English Football League to rescind the 12-point penalty imposed on the club after she claimed the club is the victim of a "major global scandal".

Former Wigan manager Roberto Martinez (left) celebrates FA Cup with former chairman Dave Whelan after their victory over Manchester City. Credit: PA

Last week, former Wigan owner Dave Whelan said he will look at whether he is able to help the club, but says he "can't promise anything".

Roberto Martinez said fans of the club must treasure what Dave Whelan brought to Wigan Athletic and says now is the time for supporters to be an example of how to face adversity.

Wigan are the first club to go into administration since the suspension of English football due to the coronavirus pandemic in March, with joint administrator Gerald Krasner saying the impact of the outbreak on the club had been "significant".

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