EFL told further Sheffield Wednesday action is 'absolutely ridiculous' as 'extinction' threat looms | OneFootball

Henry Winter has slammed the EFL's decision to deduct Sheffield Wednesday more points next season

Sheffield Wednesday are still in administration, and the future of the Hillsborough club will remain uncertain until David Storch's consortium complete their takeover.

Storch has begun undergoing the EFL's Owner's and Directors' test since being named as the Owls' preferred bidder, and has shared his commitment to building a brighter future for the South Yorkshire outfit.

Wednesday were plunged into administration by former owner Dejphon Chansiri, and have already been relegated to League One amid points deductions and numerous player exits this term.

The S6 club have won just one Championship game in 39 attempts so far this season, while last Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Hull City marked their 29th league defeat of the campaign.

Henry Winter slams EFL sanctions as Sheffield Wednesday remain under existential threat

Owls supporters are cautiously optimistic that Storch's takeover will get over the line, after former preferred bidder James Bord's Wednesday deal collapsed.

The Hillsborough faithful have been subject to an exceptionally difficult season, as their club's relegation was cruelly sealed with a 2-1 Steel City Derby defeat to Sheffield United in February.

Furthermore, amid severe financial struggles, several star players left S6 last summer, including Josh Windass, who joined a Wrexham outfit who are now chasing promotion to the Premier League.

The winter transfer window was no easier for Wednesday supporters, as Owls legend Barry Bannan joined Millwall, who could beat Middlesbrough to automatic promotion.

Next term is also set to be challenging for the Hillsborough outfit, as they are set to be handed a 15-point deduction because Storch's bid fell below the amount required to pay creditors 25p in the pound.

Discussing that EFL punishment, journalist Henry Winter told BBC Radio Sheffield: "I think it’s absolutely ridiculous. You look at Sheffield Wednesday, one of the founder members of the Premier League, one of the oldest clubs in the world, an iconic name.

"It’s a huge community club, how much it means to fans, to players. The fact that this great club has been taken to the brink of extinction, which is a word you don’t want to use.

"I think it’s only there but for the fantastic work of the fans and the support and the loyalty and the passion of the fans that actually will prevent this and get everyone to see sense.

"I understand the EFL have to keep an eye on the other 71 (clubs), but it would be a huge humiliation, and so damaging for the EFL if Sheffield Wednesday were pushed out of existence."

Winter continued: "I don’t see why the supporters, the club, should actually take another points deduction."

The Owls have already been docked 18 points this term, which effectively fast-tracked their relegation to League One, making for a more miserable season.

Wednesday also appeared set to be handed a weekly wage cap of £7k per player, which would have decreased their chances of avoiding further relegation to League Two.

However, the Sheffield Star have revealed that, following discussions with Storch's Arise Consortium and the EFL, the Owls are instead likely to see their wage restrictions eased to rules more comparable to those already imposed on League One clubs.

Winter spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield before that report was made on Wednesday, and the South Yorkshire club would only be under existential threat if Storch walked away from a takeover deal thanks to further punishments.

David Storch deserves great credit for continued Sheffield Wednesday takeover efforts as EFL sanctions await

As alluded to by Winter, Wednesday are an attractive club to invest in thanks to their history, and the size of the fan base.

Despite their upcoming 15-point deduction, Storch remains keen on buying the South Yorkshire outfit, and deserves great credit for that amid negative, mitigating circumstances.

Furthermore, Storch's Arise consortium have appointed sports lawyer Nick De Marco, who could challenge restrictive EFL decisions like further deductions.

Meanwhile, in the latest episode of the Sheffield Star's Wednesday Weekly YouTube show, Joe Crann revealed that the Owls' preferred bidder is expected to pass his Owners' and Directors' Test.