Championship side Sheffield Wednesday say they will 'vigorously defend' themselves against charges brought against the club by the Football League.
The EFL announced in a statement on Thursday afternoon that the Owls had been charged with a breach of the league's profit and sustainability regulations, relating to the club's sale of their Hillsborough Stadium during the 2017/18 season.
According to the statement made by the EFL, the charges relate to allegations made about the process of selling the stadium, as well as the inclusion of those profits in the club's account at the conclusion of the 2017/18 campaign.
Those charges are now set to be considered by an Independent Disciplinary Commission, who will be able to impose any of the sanctions set out by EFL regulation 92.2, which includes fines, points deductions and even expulsion from the league.
In response to the statement released by the EFL, Wednesday have now released a statement of their own, during which the club simply states:
Sheffield Wednesday note the statement issued today by the EFL and the charges contained within.
These charges will be vigorously defended and the Club will be making no further comment at this time.
Wednesday are currently eighth in the Championship table, three points adrift of the play-off spots and six points from automatic promotion.
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Last year, the Owls' Championship rivals Birmingham City were deducted nine points for their own breaches of the league's profitability and sustainability rules.
The Verdict
This will be a big concern for Sheffield Wednesday.
Given the precedent the Football League appear to have set with the deduction they handed out to Birmingham last season, you have to wonder whether a similar punishment could be on its way to the Owls.
If that is the case, then you have to worry about their prospects for this season, considering the deficit it will leave them with to the top-six spots they do seem to be aiming for this season.
That being said, if they are to face such a punishment, you imagine they would rather be given sooner rather than later, then it will at least give Wednesday more of the season with which to recover from it, which could now be crucial to any hopes they have of securing a place in the Premier League next season.