Sheffield Wednesday administrator under fire as fresh points deduction claim emerges

Sheffield Wednesday’s anticipated punishment from the English Football League is in line with regulations, despite criticism from Henry Winter.

That is the assessment of former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, who told Football Insider that the club are likely to receive a 15-point deduction in League One next season.

The sanction could be applied if David Storch completes a takeover of the Yorkshire side, with his proposed deal currently falling short of the threshold required to repay creditors.

Wednesday have already seen a previous takeover attempt collapse, with James Bord spending more than £4 million to keep the club afloat before his deal fell through.

It has been a difficult campaign both on and off the pitch for the Owls, and their chances of an immediate return to the Championship already appear remote.

Wyness suggested Winter’s recent remarks where he labelled a potential 15-point deduction as “absolutely ridiculous” may have been influenced by the audience he was addressing at the time. He questioned why stronger criticism had not been directed earlier at owner Dejphon Chansiri and the leadership decisions that contributed to the current situation.

While acknowledging the severity of the punishment, Wyness emphasised the importance of applying rules consistently across clubs. He did, however, note that a suspended penalty might have been a more balanced outcome, although setting such a precedent could create complications in future cases.

He also raised concerns about the handling of the situation by the club’s administrator, suggesting the process could have been managed more efficiently. Nonetheless, he maintained that adherence to the rulebook remains essential.

Despite the financial turmoil, Wyness expressed confidence that Sheffield Wednesday widely regarded as a historic club with significant potential can recover in the long term with the right backing.

Separately, the club are monitoring Jon McCracken ahead of a possible free transfer. The Dundee goalkeeper is nearing the end of his contract and is in discussions over an extension, while also attracting interest from other clubs including Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers.