Sussex given points deduction for financial issues

Sussex have been given a 12-point deduction for the 2026 County Championship following "sustained operating losses" in the last financial year.

The club have also been docked a point each for the T20 Blast and One-Day Cup, with similar suspended penalties for all three competitions hanging over them for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

A player salary cap will be put in place until 2028 and Sussex must provide the England and Wales Cricket Board with a three‑year business plan and show sustainable year‑on‑year operating profits for the same period.

"We fully understand how disappointing this news will be for everyone connected with Sussex Cricket" said acting chief executive Mark West.

"Since taking on the interim role at the end of last season, it has become clear that a combination of internal decisions and wider economic pressures have contributed to the position the club finds itself in today.

"The points deductions will be an unexpected blow to the players and supporters, but we accept the ECB's decision.

"We are sorry - it hasn't been good enough. Our responsibility now is to put things right and ensure the club is in a stronger position going forward."

Sussex achieved an impressive fourth-place finish last year after achieving promotion to County Championship Division One in 2024, but failed to reach the knockout stage of the two white-ball competitions.

Head coach Paul Farbrace recently told BBC Radio Sussex: "There's no point whinging about it, we've got to hold our hands up and say we've obviously made mistakes.

"Therefore we've got to own it and deal with it. I chatted to the players, the coaching staff, the medical team - I've kept them up to date because it's the right thing to do."

The financial framework agreed with the ECB will remain in place until 2029, and includes additional financial controls to ensure cricket operations are protected.

They include enhanced governance, an independent review of the Board's skills and effectiveness, and ECB observer rights at relevant committee meetings.

The club has also been given a suspended £100,000 fine, which they will only have to pay if the conditions of the agreement are breached.

West added: "These measures provide assurance of a clear, sustainable pathway back to long‑term financial stability, and the loan will be fully repaid, under the terms, from future funding streams due.

"We are extremely grateful for the ECB's support as we work through this period.

"This is the best possible way forward for the club, and while it has been a difficult few days for supporters, players and staff, we can now move forward positively.

"Our focus has to be on building our own revenue streams and sustainable growth on and off the field, to ultimately create an environment in which the team can thrive in all formats of the game."

Sussex start the new Championship season with an away game against promoted Leicestershire on 3 April before playing at home for the first time against Warwickshire a week later.