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English Championship side Sheffield Wednesday file for administration
Championship club Sheffield Wednesday have filed for administration, according to a court filing, which will result in the already struggling side being hit with a 12-point deduction.
The South Yorkshire club currently sit bottom of the Championship, the second tier of English football, with just six points from 11 games.
Known as The Owls, Wednesday are one of the oldest surviving clubs in world football, with more than 150 years of history.
Court records confirm the club have filed for administration. A notice was filed at a specialist court at 10.01am.
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Sky’s Rob Harris reports on the news that Sheffield Wednesday have filed for administration
What has happened?
The Owls, who host Oxford United on Saturday, have been in turmoil for a long time.
On 3 June, owner Dejphon Chansiri, a Thai canned fish magnate who took over the club in 2015, was charged with breaching EFL regulations regarding payment obligations.
Sheffield Wednesday fans protest the ownership at a game away to Leeds United in January. Pic: Reuters
Weeks later, Mr Chansiri said he was willing to sell the club in a statement on their official website.
Sheffield Wednesday’s troubles have sparked furious protests from fans. Pic: PA
Their crisis deepened just days later when another embargo was imposed on the club relating to payments owed to HMRC, before players and staff were not paid on time on 30 June.
In the months that followed, forwards Josh Windass and Michael Smith left the club by mutual consent. Manager Danny Rohl, now at Rangers, also left by mutual consent.
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Frustrated Sheffield Wednesday supporters have targeted their embattled club’s owner in a highly-visible protest during their opening match of the season.
The Owls were forced to close the 9,255-capacity North Stand at Hillsborough after a Prohibition Notice was issued by Sheffield City Council.
‘Current uncertainty’
On 6 August, the EFL released a statement, saying: “We are clear that the current owner needs either to fund the club to meet its obligations or make good on his commitment to sell to a well-funded party, for fair market value – ending the current uncertainty and impasse.”
On 13 August, the Prohibition Notice was lifted, but a month later, news emerged of a winding-up petition over £1m owed to HMRC.
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Last season, Wednesday finished 12th. They had already been placed under registration embargoes in the last two seasons after being hit by a six-point deduction during the 2020/21 campaign, for breaching profit and sustainability rules.
With a 12-point deduction, the Owls would be 15 points away from safety in the Championship.