Sheffield Wednesday facing potential 15-point deduction amid takeover uncertainty

• Sheffield Wednesday F.C. could begin next season with a 15-point deduction under English Football League rules
• Prospective buyers including Mike Ashley and David Storch are unwilling to pay £15m owed to owner Dejphon Chansiri
• The club is currently in administration with Begbies Traynor overseeing the sale

Sheffield Wednesday F.C. are likely to begin life in EFL League One next season with a 15-point deduction as uncertainty continues over the club’s takeover.

Several parties have expressed interest in buying the club, including former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley and American financier David Storch.

However, sources indicate that none of the current bidders are prepared to pay £15 million to outgoing owner Dejphon Chansiri, a payment that would prevent the club from receiving a points penalty.

Under rules set by the English Football League, all football creditors must be paid in full during a takeover. Other creditors must receive at least 25 percent of the money owed to them.

If these requirements are not met, the club automatically receives a 15-point deduction at the start of the following season.

Chansiri has loaned more than £60 million to the club during his 11 years in charge. Because those loans were never converted into share capital, he remains the club’s largest creditor.

As a result, any new owners would need to pay at least £15 million of that debt for the club to avoid the deduction.

Earlier this year businessman James Bord had been the preferred bidder and agreed to pay £48 million for the club, including the required payment to Chansiri. Bord withdrew his interest two weeks ago.

Current bids are believed to be significantly lower than Bord’s offer. Ashley’s original proposal was reported to be around £20 million and there is no indication that it has increased substantially.

Potential buyers must also account for additional financial obligations, including approximately £8 million needed to bring Hillsborough Stadium up to required standards.

There are also around £6 million in outstanding debts owed to HM Revenue and Customs and up to £3 million in legal costs.

Begbies Traynor, which is overseeing the club’s administration process, is expected to act quickly once a new offer is provisionally accepted.