Sheffield Wednesday deducted 12 points after entering administration
Sheffield Wednesday have officially entered administration and been hit with an automatic 12-point deduction, the EFL confirmed on Friday.
The financially troubled Championship club, already sitting bottom of the table, now drop to -6 points following the sanction. The notice to enter administration was filed at 10:01am on Friday morning at the High Court’s specialist Insolvency and Companies Court.
The decision follows a series of financial breaches, with the EFL previously charging Wednesday for repeatedly failing to pay players’ wages on time. In a statement, the league said:
“The EFL can confirm that it has now received formal notice that Dejphon Chansiri, the director of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, has taken the necessary steps to appoint administrators to both the club and the company which owns Hillsborough. While this development triggers an automatic 12-point deduction under league rules, it also gives the club the opportunity to move toward a sale and secure a more stable future under new ownership.”
The EFL added that it will work closely with the newly appointed administrators to stabilise the situation and reduce uncertainty for the club’s staff, players, supporters, and the wider community.
Financial troubles reach breaking point
Sheffield Wednesday’s ongoing financial issues under former owner Dejphon Chansiri have long been public, with reports suggesting a winding-up order from HMRC was imminent. The club is believed to owe roughly £1 million in unpaid taxes, which ultimately forced the decision to seek administration.
Administration firm Begbies Traynor Group, based in Sheffield, has taken control of the club’s operations. Joint administrator Kris Wigfield confirmed:
“The joint administrators have taken over the running of the club with immediate effect to protect the interests of creditors and ensure Sheffield Wednesday can continue operating while we seek a new owner as swiftly as possible.
Like many football clubs, Wednesday have been operating at a significant loss for years, with those losses historically covered by Mr. Chansiri. The move into administration will allow us to market both the club and stadium together, which is positive news for supporters.”
Despite the turmoil, Saturday’s fixture against Oxford United at Hillsborough will go ahead as planned.
What happens next
The 12-point deduction is immediate, but Sheffield Wednesday could face further punishment after failing to pay players on time in five of the past seven months. An independent commission will now review the case, potentially leading to an additional points deduction.
Derby County were the last EFL side to enter administration in 2021.
Chansiri, who remains the club’s largest creditor, will continue to be involved in the process as administrators seek new ownership.
In a joint message to fans, the players issued a heartfelt statement, expressing gratitude and urging supporters to rally behind the team:
“We understand the frustration and the lengths you’ve gone to protect this club we all love. Now is the time for unity. Please come back to Hillsborough and support us starting tomorrow against Oxford. Think back to the great nights against Peterborough, Arsenal, and Newcastle — that was you as much as it was us.
We won’t give up, and we ask you not to give up on us. Together we are stronger. Together we fight.”
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