Sheffield United, a Premier League football club, will begin their next Championship campaign with a two-point deduction, as per a recent ruling by the English Football League (EFL). The Blades have been found to have violated EFL regulations by failing to make payments to other clubs during their 2022-23 promotion season.
In addition to the initial deduction, the club has also been given a further two-point suspension. Despite being “disappointed” by the decision, Sheffield United has decided not to appeal against it. The club stated that it chose to reach an agreement that would minimize the risks of a higher deduction or further transfer restrictions being imposed, rather than engage in lengthy and costly legal proceedings.
The Blades will now focus on the future and put this matter behind them, according to their statement. However, the club will have to pay the EFL’s legal costs of £310,455 as part of the punishment. The deferred payments, which were cumulatively more than 550 days, were made during a season when the club was managed by Paul Heckingbottom and finished as runners-up to Burnley.
Chris Wilder now manages Sheffield United, who are currently at the bottom of the Premier League and nine points adrift of safety with only seven matches remaining. The EFL has stated that any further default payments over five business days from the due date of the agreement will result in the activation of the suspended points deduction.
