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Sheffield Wednesday fans described Wednesday as “one of the most bittersweet days in our 158-year history” following the Championship side was placed into administration by owner Dejphon Chansiri and deducted 12 points.

Club Crisis Results in Points Penalty

The Owls now face almost certain relegation after the EFL’s penalty placed them at minus six points, 15 points from safety. Team members and employees have not been paid on time in five of the past seven months, compounding the period of turbulence.

The appointed administrators have taken control of proceedings to sell Wednesday’s assets, along with the team's home ground, to recoup debts estimated at £1m in tax. Shortly after the club entered administration, stadium seating with the owner's name were removed in the stadium.

“Entering administration was the inevitable outcome of years of financial mismanagement, poor oversight, and unsuccessful sale attempts,” the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust said. “Administration is not something to be celebrated. It needn’t have ended this way. But we are overjoyed to have Dejphon Chansiri out of our club for good

Coach's Outlook on Fresh Start

Wednesday’s manager, Henrik Pedersen met the administrators along with his coaching team, players, and staff on Friday morning. The Dane said entering administration was necessary to embark on a new era.

Pedersen stressed “a sad situation can also still be a good day”, adding: “Recent months showed the situation was unsustainable. We need a fresh restart to use the potential of this fantastic club. Now there is a belief, a hope, there is a feeling of looking towards better days. I envision a promising future for the club.”

Employee Concerns

Club staff were emotional upon hearing the update, with Pedersen saying: “There is insecurity. Will wages be paid? What comes next? Will it be better? Will it not be better? The general feeling was that they are all looking forward to the future together with Sheffield Wednesday

Ongoing Financial Struggles

The situation at Wednesday worsened significantly since the summer when the manager Danny Röhl and several key players departed following unpaid wages. The league voiced worries about the club’s finances earlier this season.

From that point, the club have been living hand-to-mouth, applying all revenue such as solidarity payments to deal with debts. With reports of an imminent winding-up order from HMRC, it appears Chansiri ran out of options.

Administrator’s Statement

A lead administrator, Kris Wigfield appointed by Begbies Traynor said: “Similar to other teams, the club sustained heavy losses for several years, with those losses historically funded by the former owner Mr Chansiri. Due to increased financial pressure, the owner opted for administration which will enable us to market the club and the stadium as a whole, which is great news for supporters.”

Regulatory Response

Government official Lisa Nandy said Wednesday’s plight served as another reminder the importance of a football regulator, which was signed into law this year. It should be active for the start of the 2027-28 season.

“My club Wigan faced similar issues, so I understand fans want a quick solution,” she added.

Supporter Actions

Wednesday fans avoided club shops and products this season with many absent during the Middlesbrough match in the latest boycott. Before Oxford’s visit on Saturday, officials urged fans to return.

“Stability and revenue are critical now, according to the trust. Protest succeeded; rebuilding starts today. Every ticket bought, every shirt worn, every pie and pint enjoyed in Hillsborough helps the club rebuild. Meaningful change is possible if we act. Now is the time to be Wednesday

What Lies Ahead

The trust said it expected strong interest from buyers but had been working on a supporter-backed purchase plan guaranteeing “even in the worst-case scenario, the threat of liquidation will not be an option”.

Pedersen, previously assistant to Röhl, said he was not resigned to relegation despite the severity of the challenge. “We have to be a new Sheffield Wednesday with an old heart, he said. We have a fantastic club and it deserves to grow. I'm confident we can stay up. The fight continues.”