Government complaint considered over EFL's Sheffield Wednesday deduction ruling
Confirmation that the EFL have reiterated their stance on the 15-point deduction to be imposed on Sheffield Wednesday next season has promoted a strong reaction from the club’s Supporters Trust.
Further discussions over the level of sanctions the Owls are set to face heading into a vital League One rebuild next season have taken place over the last weeks. Wednesday are set to be slapped with a 15-point deduction for their failure to exit administration with the satisfaction of an EFL ‘minimum dividend’ rule that would see all unsecured creditors - including former chairman Dejphon Chansiri - paid 25 per cent of what they are owed.
A statement released by bid leader David Storch on Wednesday evening made clear prospective new owners Arise ‘fundamentally disagreed’ with the ruling, stating that they had seen a request to have their case for a reduced points deduction heard in an independent arbitration hearing rejected.
The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust - who have been outspoken in their contrary reading of the rulings that would lead to the 15-point deduction and were included in submissions put forward to the EFL by the preferred bidders - released a statement in response to the latest, in which they said they were considering raising formal concerns with the Government with regard to the EFL’s handling of the situation.
The Trust statement reads as follows
Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust notes the recent statement issued by the prospective owners and welcomes their continued commitment to completing the purchase of the club. However, the EFL’s current position is a serious concern. Sheffield Wednesday faces a proposed 15-point deduction without a clear path to an independent hearing or appeal regarding the circumstances involved.
This situation is unacceptable. We are not asking the EFL to abandon its rules.
We are asking for independent scrutiny before a sanction of this scale is imposed. The prospective owners have stated that they requested independent arbitration, which was refused. This should concern anyone who values integrity, transparency, and accountability in football governance.
This scale of sanction demands a fair and independent review. Currently, this does not appear to be taking place. Sheffield Wednesday has already faced significant consequences. The key issue now is whether the process is fair, transparent, and accountable.
The Trust is therefore calling for one clear outcome: An independent and fair hearing on the proposed 15-point deduction, with full consideration of the club’s specific circumstances, is essential.
Anything less risks undermining confidence in the regulatory process for Sheffield Wednesday and the wider game. The Trust will write to the Independent Football Regulator to ask it to ensure the league’s approach receives external scrutiny.
If the EFL continues to refuse an independent process, we may take additional steps include formally raising concerns with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and continuing to work with local MPs to ensure proper examination of this issue.
Sheffield Wednesday deserves to be heard and treated fairly in this process. The club needs the opportunity to move forward.