The rest of the EFL clubs are to meet to discuss the potential sanction facing Sheffield Wednesday over their controversial sale of Hillsborough to club owner, Dejphon Chansiri.
Wednesday have been in hot pursuit of Premier League football ever since Chansiri took over the club and have come every close on two occasions, missing out in the play-offs in two successive seasons.
However, their chase for top-flight status has landed them in hot water with the EFL this season as they were slapped with a charge relating to their sale of Hillsborough to one of Chansiri’s holding companies, registering the sale in part of the club’s profits for the 2017/18 financial year. A year behind when the sale was actually made in the summer just gone, raising serious questions over the legitimacy of their actions.
The charge that they received could see them see punishments ranging from a slap on the wrist all the way up to points deductions and expulsion from the league.
While the latter might seem severe, fellow EFL clubs are seemingly hot on the case and looking for the governing body to clamp down on the Owls with a hefty punishment.
Sky Sports have confirmed, via the EFL, that the process on the investigation of Wednesday’s charge is ‘ongoing’, but a number of Championship clubs are pleading that they receive a sizeable points deduction, if found guilty.
The Owls would be facing a potential deduction of up to 12 points based on the financial severity of their actions, with the option of the EFL to impose a further nine-point deduction based on whether they deem the breach to be in ‘aggravated circumstances’.
How much do you know about Wednesday's new signings?
The verdict
Wednesday can’t really have any complaints here if they see the book thrown at them over this, because the evidence at face value doesn’t bode well for them.
While other clubs have been charged, such as Derby County, for similar actions, Wednesday have run a massive risk by toeing the line of what is legal in the EFL’s guidelines.
It is becoming harder and harder for EFL clubs to remain within the guidelines of profit and sustainability and still look to compete at the top end of the table but flagrantly disregarding why the rules are in place isn’t going to end well.
It’s no surprise that other Championship clubs are looking for heavy punishment, given that it seems unfair that Wednesday had a £60million+ buffer for their profits, while other clubs are working within their means.