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Sheffield Wednesday’s ongoing financial crisis has deepened after the English Football League (EFL) imposed a three-window transfer fee ban on the club for repeatedly failing to pay staff wages on time.
The South Yorkshire side will be barred from signing any players for a fee during this summer’s window and the two subsequent windows in 2026. This latest punishment runs alongside an existing registration embargo, which already prevents the club from adding players—even free agents—until all overdue wage payments have been resolved.
Under the embargo rules, the club can only make a free signing or free loan if their senior squad drops below 23 players. Wednesday have confirmed their intention to appeal the ruling.
The EFL has also brought charges against both the club and its owner, Dejphon Chansiri, following the wage issues. These charges, which relate to missed payments in both March and May this year, will now be reviewed by an independent disciplinary commission.
The league explained in a statement:
“The EFL can confirm that Sheffield Wednesday Football Club is now subject to a three-window fee restriction after exceeding 30 days of late payments between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025.
In accordance with EFL Regulations, the restriction will cover the entirety of this summer’s window and two full windows thereafter (Winter 2026 and Summer 2026).
The Club has notified the EFL of its intention to appeal this decision and this will be heard in due course.
Separately, on 3 June 2025, the EFL issued charges against the Club and owner Mr Dejphon Chansiri in respect of non-payment of Player wages in March 2025 and May 2025.
This matter is being considered by an Independent Disciplinary Commission, and because of the ongoing proceedings, the League is unable to comment further at this time.”
Wednesday acknowledged the EFL's announcement, stating:
“The Club are also unable to make any further comment at this time.”
The club’s financial instability has been mounting. They previously hit headlines in May after failing to pay players on time for the second time in three months. The late wage issues prompted local MP Clive Betts to call for Chansiri’s departure, accusing the owner of “holding the club hostage.”
Former owner Milan Mandaric has now expressed a desire to return to Hillsborough in a bid to "rescue" the club. Mandaric, who oversaw the club between 2010 and 2015, said:
“It needs a big rescue now - all of us who love football and love Sheffield [Wednesday] have no doubt about that.”
Speaking on BBC Radio Sheffield, the 86-year-old said he would be assembling a team, including former club executives Paul Aldridge and John Redgate, to explore a potential takeover.
“I am going to definitely try to see him [Chansiri] with my people and be very straight in telling him that he is going to destroy the club unless he lets new people like me get involved,” Mandaric said.
For a club with a proud history and fervent fanbase, the path back to stability remains far from certain.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Waldemar, X / @EFL_Comms
