Why Sheffield Wednesday's final day opponents West Brom have received points deduction
West Brom’s point deduction means they could still get relegated from Championship
Sheffield Wednesday’s Championship rivals, West Brom, have been deducted two points for a financial breach.
The punishment has been imposed immediately and they fall to 20th in the table, six points above the drop zone with six to play for. It means they could still get relegated but they have a better goal difference than Oxford United, who are third from bottom and who Wednesday face on Saturday, so a big swing is needed. Had it not been for their improved form under interim head coach, James Morrison, then they would been in serious danger of relegation to League One.
The Owls host West Brom a week on Saturday on the final day of the Championship season and the visitors could need a positive result at Hillsborough to secure their place in the division. The game is heading for a sell-out, with Wednesday hoping that a takeover of the club by David Storch can be completed by then.
The financial breach relates to exceeding a threshold loss of £39 million over a three-year period ending in the 2024/25 season.
West Brom said they ‘disagree’ with the findings by the EFL’S Club Financial Review Panel. They can appeal the decision within 14 days and the club said it is considering its options.
They said in a statement: “The decision does not state the amount by which the club is said to have exceeded the upper loss threshold. West Bromwich Albion has not been informed of the quantum of the breach, save that this is less than £2million. This is therefore the smallest ever breach of the Profitability and Sustainability Rules across the EFL Championship and the Premier League.”
West Brom, who had secured their survival with a win in midweek before this deduction, host promotion-chasing Ipswich Town on Saturday.