Rovers have moved up a place in the Championship table – after Birmingham City were deducted nine points for a breach of the League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

The decision follows a review of the financial submission from the Blues for the three year period 2015/16 to 2017/18 where it was determined they had recorded losses in excess of the £39.0m upper loss threshold.

Birmingham pleaded guilty to the charge, and after hearing representations from both parties, it was determined an immediate nine point deduction was the appropriate punishment.

That will see the Blues fall from 13th to 18th in the table, five points above the relegation zone with eight games remaining.

As a result, Rovers move up to 16th with 47 points from their 38 matches.

Birmingham won their final two matches of the 2016/17 season to stave off relegation at the expense of Rovers who dropped in to League One.

An EFL spokesman said: “The Profitability and Sustainability Rules, aligned with those in the Premier League, became effective in 2015/16. Season 2017/18 was the end of the first full reporting period with Birmingham City the only club found to have breached those requirements, when it incurred adjusted losses of £48.787 million, £9.787 million in excess of the permitted losses.

“The Disciplinary Commission had the opportunity to consider all relevant factors in reaching its determination, including the club’s mitigation.”

The EFL said the parties have 14 days in which to appeal the decision, but the Championship table would be amended with immediate effect.