(Credit: Sky Sports/David Storch on X)

James Murray

Wed 22 April 2026 7:15, UK

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Sheffield Wednesday’s prospective owner David Storch will be considering his legal options as the club face another 15-point deduction next season. 

That is according to former Everton, Aston Villa and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, who exclusively told Football Insider he hopes EFL chairman Rick Parry and CEO Trevor Birch “come to their senses” around the Championship side’s situation.

Arise Capital Partners, which comprises Storch, his son Michael and Tom Costin, was granted preferred bidder status to seal a takeover at Hillsborough last month.

The Owls have already been relegated to League One, having been deducted 18 points for breaching the EFL’s regulations after going into administration.

That isn’t going to be the end of the penalties as things stand after Storch confirmed Sheffield Wednesday will be deducted 15 points next season. 

How EFL can avoid Sheffield Wednesday legal battle

In a statement last week, Storch said his group wants the EFL to recognise the “unique” nature of Sheffield Wednesday’s situation, adding that they “fundamentally disagree” with the decision. 

The 15-point penalty will be enforced due to Arise’s offer not meeting the league’s requirement to repay creditors 25p in the pound, with former owner Dejphon Chansiri needing to be paid £15million of the £60m he loaned the Owls to avoid a points deduction. 

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Wyness discussed whether Storch could look to take legal action around another points deduction being imposed.

“There will be a legal aspect to this,” said Wyness.

“But you would hope the EFL with Rick Parry and Trevor Birch can actually come to their senses and find a way through this.

“You have also now got David Kogan at the independent football regulator, who has also got experience. This is exactly where football has got to take these decisions into itself and not go to the legal fraternity.” 

Why Sheffield Wednesday money should be kept in football

Wyness insisted Sheffield Wednesday’s situation can be resolved by the stakeholders before legal action is necessary.

“This is a perfect example of something that could be resolved within the football family and stop a lot of money going out of football,” said Wyness.

“It’s going back to Chansiri, but it should be kept in football, and this is all about that. 

“There could be future penalties or other sanctions placed on Sheffield Wednesday if they don’t do it appropriately, or Storch doesn’t act in good faith, but I think he will.

“There is a way to resolve this with common sense to try and do this for football rather than self-harming.”