Wednesday must weigh up their options
Sheffield Wednesday are yet to announce any developments in relation to their position on their 12-point penalty since making a statement to acknowledge the decision that was made on Friday 31st July.
Following a lengthy case brought by the EFL, an independent panel ruled that the Owls were guilty of breaching the Profit and Sustainability regulations of the league and awarded the club a 12-point deduction, to take effect next season. The case was focused on the sale pf Hillsborough stadium which was entered into the 2017-18 accounting period and would have seen the club stay within the P&S limits. However, the EFL contested the dates of the sale and it appears they have won the case on this basis.
Wednesday stated they were awaiting the written reasons for the ruling before making any further comment. It is thought the club would have 14 days from receipt of the reasons in which to lodge a formal appeal. It would be somewhat surprising and disappointing if the reasons had not been delivered in the 10 days which have now passed since the decision was made and so it is likely that the clock will be ticking towards this deadline.
Dependent on what the report shows, the Owls could appeal against the guilty ruling or appeal against the size of the punishment – Birmingham City were deducted 9 points in the 2018-19 season for a breach of the 3-year P&S rules. However, should the Owls choose to appeal then that could open up the possibility of other clubs submitting evidence against the appeal, which could lead to the penalty imposed being altered or increased in the Owls were to lose an appeal. Charlton Athletic have raised concerns about how the deduction has been imposed, questioning whether it should have been applied this season – which would have seen Wednesday fall into the bottom 3 and be relegated to League One, and saving Charlton from this fate in the process.