Administrators overseeing Derby County's financial affairs have lodged an appeal against the club's 12-point deduction.
The penalty pushed the club from 12th in the Championship where they had 10 points, to bottom of the league with minus-two points.
The club went into administration last month and were automatically deducted a dozen points.
Wayne Rooney's team is now on plus-two points, but rooted at the foot of the table and seven points from safety.
They also face the potential of losing another nine points.
In a statement the EFL said: "The administrators at Derby County have lodged an appeal against the 12-point deduction imposed on the Club’s 2021/22 season total on 22 September 2021.
"As a consequence, this matter has been referred to an independent arbitration panel who will consider representations from both parties before making a determination.
"At this current time the club’s points total in the Championship table will remain unchanged."
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According to Mark Whiley, writing in DerbyshireLive, he appeal by the administrators will be a costly process.
As a guide of how much the process will cost, the appeal to try to quash Wigan Athletic’s points penalty for entering administration amounted to around £400,000.