Breaking: Sheffield Wednesday hit with 12-point deduction!

It has been a saga that has dragged on more several months now after the Owls were charged back in November, and there will be many who are glad to see the end of it, even if it does mean starting next season on -12 points.

A statement from the EFL this evening read, “An independent Disciplinary Commission, appointed under EFL Regulations, has ruled that Sheffield Wednesday will receive a 12 point deduction for breaching the League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules for the three-season reporting period ending with Season 2017/18.

“The sporting sanction will take effect in season 2020/21.

“The Club was charged in November 2019 and referred to an independent Disciplinary Commission, which conducted a full hearing at the end of June 2020, before finding the Club guilty based on the fact that the Club should not have included profits from the sale of Hillsborough Stadium in the Club’s financial statements for the period ending July 2018.

“The Club was found not guilty of a further charge of breaching its duty of utmost good faith to the EFL by deliberately concealing information from the League in respect of filings made in respect of the Profitability and Sustainability Rules.”

Meanwhile, in a statement of their own, the club said, “Sheffield Wednesday acknowledges the decision of the independent disciplinary commission announced today.

“The club is extremely disappointed that the commission has imposed a 12-point deduction to be applied next season and awaits the written reasons for this decision.

“The club welcomes the decision that the commission cleared Sheffield Wednesday of the charge of acting in bad faith in its dealings with the EFL.

“Further, the commission decided not to apply a 12-point deduction this season, thereby imposing relegation.

“The club will await the written reasons for the sanction and upon receipt will digest and consider the full detail with its legal advisers before making any further comment.”