Birmingham City May Face Point “Deduction” Following EFL Rule

Birmingham City League One fixture in doubt as EFL rule explained

In just under a fortnight’s time, Birmingham City have a home match – but that could be at risk of a postponement

Birmingham City’s game against Stevenage later this q

Today 4s squad was named by former West Brom boss Steve Clarke on Monday, and it   Dykes. Despite being limited to only a few pening his account for Blues against Fulham at the end of October, the former Hearts striker is in Scotland’s squad for their Nations League double header.

Scotland face Croatia (November 15) and Poland (November 18) as they bid to avoid relegation from League A. They have picked up just a point from a possible 12, and are in danger of dropping out of Europe’s elite, and in to the same leagues as England, the Republic of Ireland, and Wales.

Dykes has played in all four of Scotland’s Nations League matches, starting three of them. He was reduced to a seven-minute cameo last time out against Portugal as they picked up their first point.

The 29-year-old is the second player to be called up to his national team, as according to journalist Joel Kim, Paik Seung-ho has made the South Korea squad. Paik has been key to Birmingham’s success this season, and as a result of his good form, he was called up for South Korea last month. The 27-year-old came on as a substitute in wins against Jordan and Iraq as South Korea bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

According to EFL rules, the threshold at which teams can request for a fixture to be postponed is when three or more players are called up for their national teams. It can also relate to those playing for their nation’s under-21s teams, if they have played a significant role for the club.

Last month, £10m summer signing Jay Stansfield was called up to play for England’s under-21s team. Earlier this season, Luke on-loan Fulham midfielder Luke Harris was called up to represent Wales’ under-21s team, and so there should be players away on international duty for both the senior and age-grade teams.

Only one more player now needs to be called up for Birmingham to be able request to the EFL for a postponement for their fixture with Stevenage, which is scheduled to take place at St Andrew’s on Saturday, November 16.

Further international call-ups are likely to happen as Willum Willumsson and Alfons Sampsted are both expected to be called up to the Iceland squad for their Nations League double-header against Montenegro (November 16) and Wales (November 19). Birmingham’s games against Exeter City and Cambridge United were called off earlier this season.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell meanwhile was called up to the Northern Ireland squad before he had to withdraw last month due to injury. Peacock-Farrell is likely to be involved with Norn Iron, and so that’s at least five players away.