Championship club hit with six-point deduction after EFL rule breach | Football | Sport

Sheffield Wednesday have been slapped with an additional six-point deduction by the EFL after plunging into administration. This latest penalty is linked to violations under the reign of former owner Dejphon Chansiri. This comes on top of an automatic 12-point deduction for entering administration, bringing their total deductions to a staggering 18 points.

The Owls now find themselves languishing at -10 points, firmly rooted at the bottom of the Championship and a colossal 27 points adrift from safety. The club was found guilty of failing to pay players and staff on time in five out of Chansiri’s last seven months in charge. There were also instances of missed tax payments and outstanding transfer fees owed to other clubs.

In a statement, the EFL announced: “Sheffield Wednesday FC are to be deducted six points with immediate effect for multiple breaches of EFL regulations relating to payment obligations, with the club’s former owner, Mr Dejphon Chansiri, prohibited from being an owner or director of any EFL club for a period of three years.

“The sanctions on both the club and Mr Chansiri can be confirmed after the parties reached an agreement on the appropriate sanction which was subsequently ratified by the chair of the appointed independent disciplinary commission.”

Fans rallied against Thai tuna tycoon Chansiri, with supporters boycotting the club shop, food and drink kiosks, and home cup ties in a successful campaign to oust their inept ex-owner.

The final home game of Chansiri’s tumultuous reign against Middlesbrough was played in front of a nearly deserted Hillsborough, before fans flocked back for the Oxford match three days later.

The funds subsequently spent have ensured that players and staff have been paid punctually and will continue to be until a new owner steps in.

Administrators have set an informal deadline for offers by the end of this week, after 12 parties demonstrated proof of funds amounting to £50million.

However, due to the high level of interest, the sales process is now expected to extend beyond the initial timeline.

Once a preferred bidder is selected, they will need to pass the EFL’s fit and proper test and also meet the standards of the government’s new football regulator.