Stoke City’s rivals handed major transfer punishment after EFL statement

Stoke City will face Sheffield Wednesday next season and the Owls have been hit with a transfer embargo

Sheffield Wednesday, one of Stoke City’s Championship rivals, have been slapped with a transfer embargo by the EFL after failing to pay their staff on time.

The club, under the ownership of Dejphon Chansiri and with Danny Rohl as manager, faces a ban from paying transfer or loan fees for three consecutive windows, which includes the current one. Their spending capabilities will be frozen until the January 2027 transfer window.

Wednesday, who intend to appeal, suffered the sanction following delayed payments, a situation that has become public knowledge following recent statements by both the club and the EFL.

The governing body confirmed the move on Wednesday: “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.”

By contrast, Stoke are the model of stability this summer, with the same manager that ended last season going to start the following campaign and sporting director Jon Walters looking to add to Mark Robins’ squad.

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Stoke City are embarking on a busy summer crafting a new-look squad that fulfils Mark Robins’ needs while also complying with the EFL’s tough spending rules.

After another poor season in which two team bosses in Steven Schumacher and Narcis Pelach were both fired, Stoke’s struggles were probably not a surprise.

As it is, a final-day draw at Derby ensured they retained their Championship status, but current boss Robins certainly has his work cut out to turn around a team that not so long ago was putting fear into the hearts of many a Premier League rival.

Full details of the Potters’ pre-season have yet to be revealed, but some things we do know. For example, Robins’ retained list is now known, with experienced but injury-prone players Lynden Gooch, Jordan Thompson, Michael Rose and Enda Stevens all released but Lewis Baker staying put.

The next key date on the horizon is Thursday, June 26, when the EFL fixtures are released. However, there is one big change this year.

Traditionally, the fixtures for the forthcoming season have come out at 9am, but this year it will be at noon.

Then later that day, at 4:30pm, clubs and their fans will learn the first round draw for the Carabao Cup, which will take place live on Sky Sports News.

The first round of Championship fixtures are scheduled to take place over the weekend of August 8 to 10, with Carabao Cup first-round ties coming in the following week.

Fixtures release day will also incorporate the draw for the Vertu Trophy group stages, which will also be shown on Sky Sports News from 2.30pm.

According to the EFL, the scheduled 46 rounds of Championship matches will take place over 33 weekends, nine midweeks and four Bank Holidays.