Sheffield Wednesday Football Club has been handed a further six-point deduction by the English Football League (EFL) for multiple breaches of its regulations. This penalty, announced on December 1, 2025, compounds the club's already precarious position, as they were previously docked 12 points on October 24, 2025, after entering administration. The Owls now find themselves languishing at the bottom of the Championship table with a total of -10 points.
The latest points deduction stems from violations that occurred under the tenure of former owner Dejphon Chansiri. The EFL's investigation revealed multiple instances where the club failed to meet its payment obligations, including the late payment of players and staff. In addition to the points deduction, Chansiri has been prohibited from being an owner or director of any EFL club for a period of three years.
The EFL confirmed the sanctions against both the club and Chansiri after an agreement was reached and ratified by an independent disciplinary commission. The league released a statement saying, "Sheffield Wednesday FC are to be deducted six points with immediate effect for multiple breaches of EFL regulations relating to payment obligations, with the club's former owner, Mr Dejphon Chansiri, prohibited from being an owner or director of any EFL club for a period of three years".
The new penalty leaves Sheffield Wednesday a massive 27 points adrift of safety. Unless a dramatic and immediate turnaround occurs, relegation to League One appears almost certain. The club's current predicament is a stark reminder of the financial challenges facing many Championship clubs.
Sheffield Wednesday's financial woes can be traced back to the end of last season. The club has struggled with paying players and staff on time, resulting in a three-window transfer embargo in June. Under the strict embargo conditions, the club was severely limited in its ability to sign new players. Several players handed in notices to leave during pre-season, further destabilizing the team.
The club's financial difficulties also led to a change in management, with Danny Rohl departing before the start of the season. Henrik Pedersen was appointed as the new manager, inheriting a squad largely composed of inexperienced academy players.
Adding to the turmoil, fans have been boycotting matches at Hillsborough as part of a campaign against owner Chansiri, urging him to sell the club. Despite reported interest from potential buyers, Chansiri's asking price has been deemed unrealistic by experts. It has been reported that Mike Ashley, the former owner of Newcastle United, has submitted a £20 million offer to acquire the Yorkshire side.
The EFL has been grappling with financial sustainability issues among its clubs for several years. In 2023/24, Championship clubs' net debt grew to £1.5 billion, and all clubs generated operating losses. The league has implemented Profit & Sustainability (P&S) rules to ensure financial fair play, but some clubs continue to struggle. These rules were introduced to deliver a consistent approach to Financial Fair Play for clubs moving between the Premier League and the Championship.
