Durham face an anxious wait to discover the extent and nature of any sanction from the England and Wales Cricket Board as the county continues to battle financial difficulties.
Following a report in The Times, detailing Durham's debts and receipt of loans from the governing body in order for the club to remain viable this summer, the ECB released a short statement on Tuesday afternoon.
A financial penalty appears unlikely, in the circumstances, leaving one possibility that Durham may instead be hit with a County Championship points deduction - and conceivably therefore, relegation.
Discussions are ongoing, as confirmed in the ECB's statement which read: "[The] ECB talks regularly with all first-class counties to ensure they each have sustainable long-term plans.
"It's well known that we've had several conversations throughout the season with Durham CCC about the opportunities and challenges facing the club.
"We are fully committed to supporting the game in the North East and are working closely with the club to ensure a successful and sustainable future."
A Durham statement added: "Durham CCC confirms that talks continue with the ECB in relation to securing a long-term future for the club with a sustainable funding model."
A points deduction, if taking effect retrospectively for this season rather than at the start of 2017, would need to be severe to have the significant ramification of relegation.
Durham finished fourth, 30 points behind champions Middlesex and 45 points clear of relegation.
They ensured their safety in the top flight with victory at home to Surrey in their penultimate Specsavers Division One match, and then went on to win again at Hampshire in their final fixture - sending their hosts down alongside bottom-of-the-table Nottinghamshire.
Durham, the newest team in the County Championship after being granted first-class status in 1992, went on to win the title three times in six seasons between 2008 and 2013.
They also provide England with an international venue in Chester-le-Street - a venture which has come at a cost approaching £1m for this summer's May Test against Sri Lanka.
Durham have also produced several England players, including all-rounder Ben Stokes and three-time Ashes-winner Paul Collingwood - who led his country to the only global trophy in its history at the ICC World Twenty20 in 2010.
Stokes recently signed a new contract to stay at Durham, but two other mainstays - Scott Borthwick and Mark Stoneman - have both left to join Surrey next season.