Sheffield Wednesday have been plunged into a deeper crisis after receiving a severe new penalty from the English Football League. The club has been handed an immediate six-point deduction, a punishment that leaves them marooned at the very bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table.
Immediate Sanctions for Rule Breaches
The EFL confirmed the harsh sanctions in a statement, revealing the six-point penalty is for multiple breaches of its regulations. These breaches specifically relate to the club's failure to meet payment obligations. The punishment takes effect immediately, dealing a devastating blow to the team's survival hopes this season.
In a double blow, the club's former owner, Dejphon Chansiri, has also been sanctioned. The EFL has prohibited Mr Chansiri from holding the position of owner or director at any of its clubs for a significant period. His ban from EFL football will last for three years.
Agreed Punishment Ratified by Commission
The league stated that these sanctions against both the club and the former chairman were confirmed after all parties involved reached an agreement on what constituted an appropriate penalty. This agreed-upon punishment was then formally ratified by the chair of an independent disciplinary commission that had been appointed to oversee the matter.
This development compounds a miserable period for the Hillsborough club, coming just days after a painful home defeat. On Saturday, Sheffield Wednesday were beaten 3-2 by Preston North End in a Championship fixture, a result that had already left them in a perilous position near the foot of the table.
Catastrophic League Position
The immediate consequence of this points deduction is nothing short of catastrophic for the Owls' campaign. With the six points removed, the club's tally now stands at minus 10 points. This leaves them rooted to the bottom of the Championship, facing a monumental task to avoid relegation, with a significant points gap already opened up between them and safety.
This is not the first time the club has faced points deductions in recent years, adding to a sense of turmoil off the pitch. The latest sanctions will raise serious questions about the club's financial management and governance under the previous regime, casting a long shadow over their immediate future in the second tier of English football.
