Sheffield Wednesday were given a further six point deduction by the EFL after the regime took office. This latest penalty relates to violations under previous owner Digifone Chansiri’s reign. This is in addition to the 12 points automatically deducted for joining the government, for a total demerit of 18 points.
The Owls are currently languishing at -10 points, firmly entrenched at the bottom of the Championship, a massive 27 points out of safety. The club was found guilty of failing to pay players and staff on time for five of the last seven months of Chansiri’s tenure as manager. In some cases, there were delays in tax payments and unpaid transfer fees to other clubs.
In a statement, the EFL said: “Sheffield Wednesday FC will receive an immediate six point deduction for multiple breaches of EFL Regulations relating to payment obligations and the club’s former owner, Digifone Chansiri, will be banned from being an owner or director of any EFL club for a period of three years.”
“Sanctions against both the club and Mr. Chansiri can be confirmed once the parties have reached agreement on the appropriate sanctions, which have subsequently been approved by the chair of the appointed independent disciplinary committee.”
Fans rallied against Thailand’s tuna king Chansiri, with supporters boycotting club shops, eateries and home cups in Thailand in a campaign to oust incompetent former owners.
The last home game of Chansiri’s turbulent reign, against Middlesbrough, was played in front of an almost empty Hillsborough, with fans pouring in for the game against Oxford three days later.
The subsequent funding will ensure that players and staff are paid on time and will continue to be paid until a new owner takes over.
The administration has set an unofficial deadline for proposals by the end of this week after 12 parties showed evidence of funding totaling £50m.
However, due to the high level of interest, the sales process is expected to be extended beyond the original schedule.
Once the preferred bidder is selected, it will need to pass the EFL’s appropriate and appropriate tests and also meet the standards of the government’s new football regulator.
