Ciaran Morrison

Thu 2 April 2026 7:30, UK

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Sheffield Wednesday’s expected punishment by the EFL follows the rulebook despite Henry Winter’s criticism.

That’s the view of former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, as Sheffield Wednesday look set to be hit with a 15-point deduction in League One next season.

That is if David Storch’s takeover of the Yorkshire club goes through, due to his bid falling below the minimum required amount to pay creditors.

The Owls have already seen James Bord’s deal to buy Sheffield Wednesday collapse, having spent over £4million to keep the club running.

Sheffield Wednesday have faced a turbulent season on and off the pitch, and their hopes of making an immediate return to the Championship already look slim.

‘Leniency could have been shown’ amid Sheffield Wednesday’s ongoing turmoil

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Winter could have been aiming to please Sheffield Wednesday fans after calling a 15-point deduction next season “absolutely ridiculous.”

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness questions why Winter has only spoken out about the club’s demise now, whilst dropping his verdict on the situation.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It’s funny, Henry Winter, he’s obviously a very well-established and respected authority, but I would just point out that when he made that statement, he was talking to Radio Sheffield, so he may have actually been trying to court the home crowd advantage quite well there.

“The rules are the rules, and we’ve talked about how Everton, Chelsea and all those sort of things, there’s been no consistency and that’s what we’ve always wanted. I’m afraid that there should be, when there isn’t consistency we moan, and I’m afraid even though it’s been very severe on Wednesday, where was Henry moaning about Dejphon Chansiri and the impact of the regime that brought them into that mess?

“Perhaps he should have been more vocal then. It is the rules. I do happen to think it should have been a suspended penalty, and I think that would have been a much more realistic view on it. But I’m afraid it’s consistency and Sheffield Wednesday is a superb club with a great heritage and something that should be polished and brought back into life has always been the sleeping giant.

“We all know that. I’m afraid it’s a bit of a financial mess. The administrator is not doing a great job. I think they could have been quicker on a lot of these things and done it better. But the rule book is the rule book.

“I think some leniency could have been shown to a degree, but it’s hard to get that when you’re setting a precedent. We just don’t know where it’s going to go with other clubs in the future. So I’ll say that, perhaps I’ll go halfway, and say it could have been a suspended penalty, but I think there’s still a need to follow the rulebook.

“Unfortunately, there are consequences for a great club like Sheffield Wednesday, but hopefully it can still rise from the ashes, and I’m sure it will. And there’ll be long-term support to get them going, I’m sure.”

Sheffield Wednesday keeping tabs on Jon McCracken

Sources have told Football Insider that Sheffield Wednesday are exploring a move to sign Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken on a free transfer.

McCracken’s contract at Dens Park expires at the end of the season, and he is in talks over extending his stay at the Scottish Premiership club.

Sheffield Wednesday would face competition from Blackburn Rovers and Queen’s Park Rangers if the 25-year-old was to explore a move away from Dundee.