Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson is demanding the EFL to investigate the financial conduct of Championship trio Aston Villa, Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday, according to a report.
The Telegraph claims that Gibson believes that those three clubs have breached financial regulations as the move could potentially trigger a bitter battle between the clubs.
It is said that Gibson is ‘furious’ at their ‘unfair’ means of bypassing the new profitability and sustainability regulations having sold over £40 million worth of talent himself.
At this moment in time, all four clubs, including Boro are still fighting to finish in a playoff spot at the end of the season, with Villa in the commanding spot.
Following Wednesday’s defeat at Leeds last time out, it is highly likely that they will miss out on a top-six finish, but Villa, Boro and Derby are hoping to secure the final two spots.
Out of all the clubs, Villa have been the busiest in the transfer market since their relegation in 2016, with their big-name purchase being centre-back John Terry during the summer of 2017.
Nonetheless, it is likely that the teams mentioned could find themselves locking horns in the playoffs and trying to earn that elusive spot in England’s top-flight.
Last season, Villa missed out on the last hurdle when they were beaten by now-relegated Fulham in May.
