Sheffield Wednesday hit back at the EFL in the Owls’ latest statement on the twelve points deduction which has been implemented for the 2020/21 season.
We learned over the weekend that the English Football League ‘wanted to relegate Sheffield Wednesday down to League One but botched their case’ angering a huge numbers of fans and as well as clubs.
Dejphon Chansiri’s side could have potentially gone down to the third tier of English football this season, with the EFL reportedly pushing for the club to have their 12 point deduction handed to them during the 2019-20 campaign after they went £18m above the Financial Fair Play limit over a three-year period.
Club statement #swfc
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) August 17, 2020
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY’S STATEMENT:
The Club was disappointed with some of the decisions of the Disciplinary Commission and respectfully disagrees with both the finding that it was in breach of the P&S rules for the 2017/18 season and the sanction of a 12-point deduction to be applied in the 2020/21 season.
It is important to highlight that the Commission did not find that the sale of the stadium was itself prohibited by the P&S rules, nor that the Club acted anything other than in the utmost good faith with respect to that transaction. The Club had been assured by the EFL that the stadium sale could be included in its 2017/18 P&S returns and relied on those assurances. Having discussed the transaction with the EFL, the EFL having approved it and the Club’s auditors having signed off on it, the Club believed, and continues to believe, it was acting properly and in accordance with the rules. It is disappointing, in those circumstances, that the Commission went on to find the Club was nevertheless in breach of Charge 1.
The Club is pleased that Charge 2, which alleged that the Club had deliberately concealed certain matters from the EFL, was dismissed and that it was accepted that the Club acted openly and honestly in its dealings with the EFL. The Club further notes the Disciplinary Commission’s findings that this was a serious allegation that is not to be made lightly and an opportunity should have been afforded to the individuals involved to explain their position before the charge was brought. The Club welcomes the Disciplinary Commission’s suggestion that the EFL should have exercised its power to investigate under Regulations 82.2/3/4 as being a fairer approach rather than to bring the allegations without further investigation.
Despite the EFL’s “sanctioning guidelines” (which it is not accepted apply in this case) providing for any points deduction sanction to take effect in the year following the breach (which in the Club’s case would have been the 2018/19 season when it finished 24 points clear of the relegation zone) and other mitigating factors, the Commission imposed the maximum 12-point deduction for next season. The EFL sought to have the sanction imposed in the 2019/20 season that has just concluded, which would have seen the Club relegated, in stark contrast to the position it adopted in the Derby County disciplinary proceedings where it was content for any sanction to be imposed next season because Derby would not be relegated. The Club is pleased the Commission rejected such an inconsistent approach to sanctioning by the EFL.
Given the findings in respect of Charge 1 and the sanction imposed, the Club shall be appealing the Decision to an EFL League Arbitration Panel, both against the finding with respect to Charge 1 and the sanction. The Club believes its grounds of appeal to be strong. The Club will continue to take all appropriate steps to protect its interests, for the benefit of the Club and its supporters, and looks forward to the appeal being heard by the League Arbitration Panel at the earliest opportunity. While the Club does not set the timetable for the hearing of the appeal it considers it likely that it will take place in autumn 2020.
The Club will make no further comment until the outcome of the appeal is known.
After seeing Sheffield Wednesday hit back at the EFL in their latest statement on points deduction, fans gave their reaction…
We’ve been stitched up by the sound of that…… no doubt the appeal will take another 2 years ??♂️??♂️
— WAWAW76 (@ndunne76) August 17, 2020
If DC pulls this off its gunna get messy hahahaha go on dc get um told ! ?????????
— big jim (@jimhadadream) August 17, 2020
They were definitely acting in our best interests when they decided to not punish us when we should have been punished, instead waiting till a point deduction would potentially relegate us instead. Corrupt chuffers #fucktheEFL
— Billy Seamus ?️??️??️?. (@BillyFensterFen) August 17, 2020
— Walker (@StevenW28575393) August 17, 2020
100% behind you DC (whatever the outcome). Someone has to make a stand against this corrupt organisation! ???
— keiron wilcock (@keiron1972) August 17, 2020
Sorry Owls fans. If you are relying on the EFL to look after the interests of you, the fans then I don’t hold out much hope. Good luck in your appeal.
— Sky Blue Mark (@WestendCov) August 17, 2020
As bad as we have been at some stuff. I could never envision we didn’t get approval for the transaction prior from EFL and to put it in relevant years accounts. ^ statement would seem the most logical explanation of what happened here. Behind the club on this one 100%. ?
— Andrew Fox (@Afoxich) August 17, 2020
We’re dealing with morons here Mr Chansiri. Get after em?
— The Reason?1867 (@1867life) August 17, 2020
Probably be the end of next season before we hear the outcome of this appeal. Wendy.
— Dan Smith (@dan_N_smith) August 17, 2020
— Mark Nadin (@MarkNadin1) August 17, 2020
Good News, I am sure the Club will only do this if they are 100% satisfied they have acted 100% correctly. Looking at how the EFL have performed recently, I know who I would put my faith in.. UTO!
— Robert Bonser (@RobertEBonser) August 17, 2020
If we do happen to win this appeal, it should signal a top to bottom investigation into the EFL. No consistency at all.
— Steve1867 (@Sevenhillssteve) August 17, 2020
Good to see Sheffield Wednesday hit back at the EFL!
— Jason Lee ?? (@ForeverAYellow) August 17, 2020
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