Sunderland’s potential Championship rivals will begin the season two points behind the others.
The EFL has announced that Sheffield United will begin next season with a two-point deduction if they are demoted to the division.
The announcement came Thursday afternoon, after an independent disciplinary commission issued its decision. The Blades were found to have broken EFL rules in the 2022/23 season when they achieved automatic promotion to the Premier League under Paul Heckingbottom. The team defaulted on payments owed to other clubs over a period that the EFL claims exceeds 550 days.
The club is also facing a two-point deduction, which is suspended until the end of next season. If the club fails to make any owing payments to other clubs for more than five days, an extra fine will be imposed. The club has also agreed to pay the EFL charges in the amount of £310,455.
Chris Wilder’s side appears to be on the verge of relegation from the Premier League at the end of the current season, as they currently lie bottom of the standings and nine points from safety. If they survive, the penalty will apply the next time they appear in the EFL.
The Blades officially announced they won’t challenge the ruling and consider the issue resolved. They expressed disappointment over the deduction, citing overdue payments from other clubs impacting Sheffield United’s finances. However, they decided it was best to avoid potential heavier penalties or more transfer restrictions by reaching an agreement. They emphasized their readiness to move forward without the distraction of prolonged legal battles, focusing on their future instead.
Leave a Reply