Derby are facing the prospect of another points deduction in League One next season as a potential punishment for the alleged illegal payment of player wages.
The FA are investigating reports in the Daily Telegraph that Wayne Rooney's agent, Paul Stretford, secretly paid around £1.6million in player salaries last month in a failed attempt to help American businessman Chris Kirchner buy the club in what would amount to a breach of the governing body's intermediary regulations.
Derby were given a three-point suspended penalty for the non-payment of wages last season and the EFL are now facing pressure from other clubs to impose it, if last month's salaries are proven to have been paid by illicit means.
The FA could also choose to punish Derby with a fine or points deduction in addition to taking action against Stretford.
When contacted by Telegraph Sport on Monday, Stretford's spokesman said: 'There's no comment available at the moment'. The FA also said it had 'nothing to add'.
Derby were docked a combined total of 21 points last season – 12 for entering administration, nine for breaching profit and sustainability rules – which condemned them to relegation from the Championship and they could also start League One with a negative points total.
In addition to the possible three-point penalty in the next campaign Derby could also be docked a further 15 points if their new owner does not settle all outstanding debts, but this prospect has receded since Clowes Developments had their bid accepted last week.
The Derbyshire-based property group have agreed to pay all unsecured football creditors at least 25 per cent of what they are owed, which will enable them to avoid the larger points penalty.
Derby's administrators, Quantuma, could also face action from the Financial Services Authority if it is proven they were complicit in the secret wage deal. Stretford is alleged to have provided a £1.6m cheque to cover Derby's wage-bill towards the end of last month when Kirchner's takeover first ran into serious problems before he withdrew a fortnight ago.
If found to have broken FA rules Stretford faces a fine or the temporary suspension of his agent's licence. The investigation into Stretford emerged three days after Rooney announced he was leaving the club following a meeting with Quantuma last Friday.