Sheffield Wednesday face fresh points deduction in another blow for crisis club | Football | Sport
Sheffield Wednesday‘s crisis is deepening, with the Championship club potentially facing further points deductions. The Owls’ position in the second tier is already precarious following their punishment for entering administration, but things could deteriorate further. The club may face additional penalties due to former owner Dejphon Chansiri’s failure to pay staff on time during his tenure.
Chansiri’s decade-long ownership of the club ended last week when they were placed into administration. Consequently, the EFL imposed an automatic 12-point deduction as per rules agreed by clubs back in 2004, leaving the Owls languishing at the bottom of the division with -6 points. As of this weekend’s matches, they are a staggering 16 points adrift of Blackburn Rovers, who sit just above the relegation zone in 21st place.
According to The Times, the club could be hit with two more points deductions. In June, the EFL announced it had initiated proceedings against the club for failing to pay staff on time in March and May.
While the EFL has not confirmed this, it is understood that a date has been set for an independent disciplinary commission to hear the case against Wednesday.
If the commission decides a penalty is warranted, they could impose a range of sanctions, including another points deduction.
Furthermore, once this case is resolved, another charge for late salary payments in June, July and September will also be scrutinised by the EFL. Although the charge is identical, the handling of it will differ.
Due to rule changes implemented this summer, the EFL’s Club Financial Review Panel, rather than an independent disciplinary commission, will hear their case. They too could impose an additional points deduction.
Both cases must be adjudicated and concluded before the end of this season. Any points penalties, if imposed, will impact the current campaign.
It’s possible that some of the points penalties may be suspended, but regardless, the Owls face a steep uphill battle to stay in the Championship.
To compound matters, they won’t even be able to invest in new players during the January transfer window. They are barred from signing or loaning a player for a fee until the summer of 2027 due to an EFL ‘fee restriction’ imposed during Chansiri’s tenure.
Any new club owner can appeal against this judgement, but at present, they are operating under five different transfer embargoes.
These restrictions, which will also make signing free transfers challenging, are a result of regulation breaches related to payments to HMRC, football creditors and another club.
