'Been made clear to me' - Sky reporter drops Sheffield Wednesday takeover update involving the Blades | OneFootball

Any prospective takeover of Sheffield Wednesday that included a merger with Sheffield Wednesday would have been blocked by the EFL.

The EFL would have blocked any prospective merger between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United after it was remarkably suggested the Blades owners had considered such an option.

The Owls entered administration last month, and, since then, there has been plenty of interest in purchasing the Championship outfit, even though the 12-point deduction has almost certainly condemned them to relegation.

Of course, some prospective buyers are much more credible than others, and it will be the job of the administrators to name a preferred bidder ahead of the December 5th deadline.

Sheffield United owners had shown an interest in purchasing Sheffield Wednesday

In a surprising revelation this week, it had been claimed that Sheffield United’s US owners, COH Sports, had made an inquiry to buy their bitter rivals in what would have been an astonishing deal. As well as that, other reports had claimed that it was even suggested that the two clubs could merge.

Obviously, that would have caused uproar among the respective fan bases, and, if it was genuine, it would raise huge concerns among the Sheffield United supporters about how out of touch their owners are.

And, in a fresh development, journalist Rob Dorsett has confirmed that any prospect of the two clubs merging would’ve been quickly stopped by the EFL and the new Football Regulator.

“Been made clear to me that neither the EFL nor the new Football Regulator would countenance the idea of Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday merging, whether or not this email of enquiry from United’s owners is legitimate. SWFC administrators focussing on more credible bids from elsewhere.”

EFL must be strict when it comes to approving new owners

It must be reiterated that this story hasn’t been fully confirmed, but if Sheffield United’s owners have expressed an interest in buying Sheffield Wednesday, then it will prompt serious questions from the fans.

Firstly, it’s pleasing that Dorsett’s update shows something like this would not be allowed to happen, but the reality is that many clubs have suffered from poor owners over the years.

This isn’t just about Sheffield United, but all clubs need to be protected, and the rivalry and competition is what makes the English game, and football in general, so exciting, and it’s why fans are so passionate.

So, the EFL and Football Regulator must recognise the responsibility they have when approving any takeovers, and that will come into the spotlight once again when a preferred bidder is named to buy Sheffield Wednesday.

The major positive for the Owls is that there is plenty of interest in the club, and there should be some clarity on their situation in the coming weeks after what has been a hectic period for the club.