EFL rule book :-
METHOD OF DETERMINING LEAGUE POSITIONS
9.1 At the end of each Season the Club in each Division scoring the highest number of points shall be declared the Champion Club of that Division. Three points shall be awarded for each League Match won. One point will be awarded to each Club for a drawn match. If two or more Clubs have scored the same number of points their position in the Division shall be determined on goal difference, that is to say, the difference between the total number of goals scored by and against a Club in League Matches in that Season, and the higher or highest placed Club shall be the Club with the highest goal difference. If any two or more Clubs have scored the same number of points and have the same goal difference the higher or highest placed Club shall be the Club having scored the most goals in League Matches in that Season.
9.2 If two or more Clubs have the same number of points, goal difference and goals scored the highest placed Club shall be determined by the respective League records against each other, taking into account in order of precedence, points gained, goal difference and goals scored.
9.3 If the above procedures do not separate the Clubs then the highest placed Club shall be determined by reference to the following criteria, in the order prescribed:
9.3.1 number of wins;
9.3.2 goals scored in away games; or
9.3.3 in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 9.4.
9.4 Where two or more Clubs are tied after the procedures set out in Regulations 9 .1 to 9 .3 inclusive then the highest placed Club shall be the Club which has accumulated the lowest total number of penalty points (as determined in accordance with Regulations 9.5 and 9.6) following the completion of 42 League Matches in the relevant Season.
9.5 Each cautionable or sending-off offence committed by a Club’s Players in each League Match during a playing season will incur that Club a set number of penalty points in accordance with the following table:
OFFENCE | PENALTY POINTS INCURRED |
Any cautionable offence | 4 penalty points |
Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball | 10 penalty points |
Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick | 10 penalty points |
Serious foul play | 12 penalty points |
Spitting at an opponent or any other person | 12 penalty points |
Violent conduct | 12 penalty points |
Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures | 12 penalty points |
Receiving a second caution in the same Match | 10 penalty points |
9.6 Where any sending-off offence is subject to a successful claim for wrongful dismissal in accordance with the Disciplinary Regulations of the Football Association, any penalty points that the sending-off offence would otherwise have incurred shall be disregarded for the purposes of calculating a Club’s cumulative total of penalty points in accordance with this Regulation .
9.7 Where two or more Clubs are still tied after the procedures set out in Regulations 9.1 to 9.6 inclusive, then the highest placed Club shall be the Club which has accumulated the lowest number of sending off offences which attract 12 penalty points in accordance with the table set out in Regulation 9.5 (subject always to Regulation 9.6) .
9.8 If the above procedures do not separate the Clubs, then the Clubs concerned shall play off a deciding League Match or Matches under arrangements determined by the League