English football team Sheffield Wednesday were plunged into administration amid financial troubles, casting doubt over the future of the fabled side founded in 1867.
The English Football League confirmed that the club would be hit with a 12-point deduction as punishment as Joint administrator Kris Wigfield said a new owner was being sought as quickly as possible.
The four-time English champion, an original member of the Premier League, is currently playing in the second-tier Championship. It is at the bottom of the 24-team league with minus 6 points after a deduction. This situation arises after financial difficulties under Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri’s ownership, leading to fan protests and league sanctions.
“For the fans, staff, and players
of Sheffield Wednesday, this is an extremely worrying situation. Owners should be good custodians who act with their club’s best interests in mind, and clearly, in this instance, that has not been the case,” U.K. culture secretary Lisa Nandy said.
Previously, Wednesday faced restrictions on transfer fees for three windows, and the club, along with Chansiri, dealt with league charges over non-payment of player wages.
On Friday, the league stated that these developments provided an opportunity to move toward a successful sale and secure future under new ownership. Fans expressed a mix of sadness and optimism.
“Today marks one of the most bittersweet days in our club’s proud 158-year history,” stated the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust.
“Entering administration was the inevitable outcome of years of financial mismanagement, a lack of accountability, and repeated failures to engage credible buyers. Administration is not something to be celebrated. It needn’t have ended this way. But we are overjoyed to have Dejphon Chansiri out of our club for good,” the statement added.
The club announced administrators had been appointed after attempts to agree on a sale to a credible future custodian failed. It faced rising pressure from creditors.
League rules stipulate that teams entering administration are automatically deducted 12 points. Wednesday is now likely to be relegated to the third tier of English soccer, despite having regularly been a top-flight club in the past, with star players like Chris Waddle and Paolo Di Canio.
The club, a three-time winner of the FA Cup, last played in the Premier League in 2000 and was in the third tier as recently as 2023.
Wednesday reported a drop in average attendances from 26,000 to 17,000 this season due to fan unrest, along with financial losses from boycotting the club’s concessions and retail outlets.
“Now, more than ever, we need fans back in the ground — buying tickets, merchandise, pies, and pints,” said Wigfield.
“Every penny spent will directly support the day-to-day running of this club, not the former owner or professional costs,” he added.
