The Football League Paper

OWLS CHARGED WITH EFL RULES BREACH

- By Theo Joyce

SHEFFIELD Wednesday have been charged with breaching EFL rules around financial fair play over the sale of Hillsborou­gh.

The EFL opened an investigat­ion into the Championsh­ip club’s profitabil­ity and sustainabi­lity (P&S) submission for 2017-18 earlier this year and has now issued “a number of charges” in relation to that investigat­ion.

“The EFL has reviewed a large number of documents obtained from the club as part of this process and concluded there is sufficient evidence to justify issuing charges of misconduct,” a statement from the league read.

“The charges are in respect of a number of allegation­s regarding the process of how and when the stadium was sold and the inclusion of the profits in the 2017-18 accounts.”

The EFL said the charges would now be considered by an independen­t disciplina­ry commission, with sanctions possibly including a points penalty. The club’s 2018-19 P&S submission remains under review, the league said. Wednesday said in a statement: “Sheffield Wednesday note the statement issued by the EFL and the charges contained within.

“These charges will be vigorously defended and the club will be making no further comment.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Sam Hutchinson should be fit for the resumption of the season, according to manager Garry Monk.

The 30-year-old suffered a calf injury ahead of the clash with Swansea, but Monk is confident he will be back to face West Brom.

“Sam had a scan, it’s not too serious, a grade one tear in the calf so that’s anything from seven to 10 days, but we’re lucky in the sense that we have the internatio­nal break to recover them,” Monk said.

Defender Julian Borner should also be fit to return after illness and full-back Liam Palmer is progressin­g well after a knee knock.

 ??  ?? HOPE: Sam Hutchinson
HOPE: Sam Hutchinson

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