SOUTHEND United have been handed a suspended three point penalty and a £7,500 fine for breaches of EFL regulations.

The Shrimpers were referred to an independent disciplinary commission after paying players late in both December 2019 and February 2020.

Blues were also charged for fielding an ineligible player, believed to be Miles Mitchell-Nelson, in their 2-1 win against Lincoln City at the start of February.

But Blues will not be facing an immediate points deduction as had been feared.

The deduction of three points has been suspended for the remainder of the 2019/20 season and the first six months of the 2020/21 campaign.

The penalty will only come into effect upon the club being found to have committed or admitted any further breaches.