Sheffield Wednesday takeover twist emerges ft James Bord and the IFR | OneFootball

James Bord's consortium were named as the preferred bidder to buy Sheffield Wednesday in December

The independent football regulator (IFR) has concerns regarding the bidders behind James Bord’s offer to buy Sheffield Wednesday.

According to the Guardian, there are also concerns regarding alternative options to take over as the preferred choice to take over the Championship side, who have been in administration since October.

The Owls have endured significant financial issues over the last 12 months, which culminated in going into administration in late 2025.

But a preferred bidder was named by administrators Begbies Traynor in December, yet ratification still hasn’t been granted by the EFL.

The league must approve the takeover before a deal can be completed, leaving the Yorkshire outfit in limbo for the time being, as they face relegation to League One.

Henrik Pedersen’s side could officially suffer the drop to the third tier as soon as this weekend when they face bitter rivals Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield Wednesday takeover concerns raised

Sheffield Wednesday’s proposed takeover led by Bord has reportedly led to concerns from the IFR.

It’s believed that the new body led by David Kogan has reservations regarding the bidders who are looking to replace Dejphon Chansiri at Hillsborough.

The Thai businessman was a deeply unpopular figure among supporters, and he is no longer in control of the Championship side after leading them to administration last October.

Wages went unpaid on time on multiple occasions during the final year of his time as owner, which even led to key players departing through the termination of their contracts.

It has been reported that the three-man consortium led by Bord has made an offer of £32.5 million to buy Sheffield Wednesday.

The former poker player beat out the likes of Mike Ashley, as well as the Storch family, in the negotiating process.

However, the IFR are also concerned about the lack of alternative options to complete a takeover should the Bord bid collapse.

It was claimed that Bord’s offer was the only one to meet the £30 million threshold that will allow all creditors to be adequately paid per the EFL’s rules, thus preventing a further points deduction for next season of 15 points.

However, the backdrop to the IFR’s reservations regarding the preferred bidder is that the regulator will take over the ratification process from the EFL by May if a decision still hasn’t been made by then.

There are fears that the ratification process could run until the summer due to delays in the league receiving the necessary documentation from the consortium that will allow them to begin their background checks on their source of funding.

James Bord’s takeover bid collapsing would be a disaster for Sheffield Wednesday

The offer led by Bord was chosen in December, and yet it’s February and we’re still no closer to ratification being given by the EFL.

The longer this drags on, the more likely it becomes that the IFR will step in and take over this process, which could lead to further delays.

It would be a disaster if Bord’s offer ultimately collapses, as it would prove a giant waste of time for the Owls when they literally cannot afford that.

There will surely be someone else that can take over the club in that event, but the risk of further points deductions does hurt that process.