EFL giant banned from transfer payments for three windows as decision to be appealed
Sheffield Wednesday have been handed a three-window transfer fee restriction, the EFL have confirmed.
This comes after the Owls exceeded 30 days of late payments between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, and means they will not be able to sign anyone for a transfer fee until January 2027.
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Wednesday previously made the headlines in May after it was revealed they had failed to pay their players on time for the second time in three months.
The embargo will restrict the South Yorkshire club to free transfers and loan moves, who plan to appeal this decision.
A statement from the EFL read: "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).
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"The Club has notified the EFL of its intention to appeal this decision and this will be heard in due course."
In addition to the club-imposed sanction, the communication also revealed individual charges against Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri are being considered by an Independent Disciplinary Commission.
It added: "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."
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The club immediately acknowledged the EFL's statement and confirmed their intention to appeal the restriction, but added that they were unable to comment any further on the matter.
Wednesday are in disarray at the moment, with Chansiri being charged with 'multiple breaches' of the EFL's financial regulations earlier this month for failing to pay players on time in March and May this year.
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Their latest punishment is just another in a host of money-related issues for the Hillsborough outfit under Chansiri's ownership.
Having taken over the club in 2015, the last three seasons of the Thai billionaire's tenure has been dogged by fan protests and registration embargoes.
The Owls were docked six points during the 2020/21 campaign for breaching spending rules.
In 2019, the club sold their Hillsborough stadium to their chairman for a reported £60million to avoid breaching spending rules.
Then, in October 2023, Chansiri asked fans to raise £2m to pay an outstanding debt to HM Revenue and Customs.
Aside from their off-the-pitch worries, Wednesday could also soon be in need of a new manager, with current boss Danny Rohl being linked with several vacancies, including German club RB Leipzig.
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With instability behind the scenes at the Championship club, talkSPORT's Simon Jordan revealed he has advised Crystal Palace's majority shareholder John Textor to buy Wednesday.
The American has faced scrutiny for his stakes in multiple clubs, with his Eagle Football Group also controlling French giants Lyon.
Jordan said: “This is a club that I think has huge opportunity and that’s one of the reasons I was trying to get the Saudis to buy it.
"I was talking to [Crystal Palace, Lyon and Botafogo majority owner] John Textor the other day saying if he comes out of Palace, that is the football club he should be buying.
“I think it’s a club you can buy and get huge momentum behind. There’s no doubt in my mind that a properly run Sheffield Wednesday with proper momentum, policies, disciplines and focus on what it’s doing should be at the top end of the Championship and looking at the Premier League."
Jordan then highlighted the appeal of investing in Wednesday, who were an established top-flight outfit prior to their relegation from the Premier League in 2000.
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He continued: “There was a time when this club was a significant force in the Premier League and it’s been asleep for 33 years. I’m not suggesting that people have been irresponsible because there’s been lots of money spent there.
“When I was watching them live I was thinking they lacked momentum and urgency, the boardroom was antiquated. Their CEO spent more time with his nose in a rule book than thinking of anything innovative.
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“If you got Sheffield Wednesday going you’d have everyone in the town supporting you, it’s not like London where if you want to build a training ground you have to beg plead and borrow, in towns like Sheffield whatever you want they’d be behind you.
"That’s why I keep advocating, buy this football club."