The EFL would have prohibited any proposed merger between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United when it was revealed that the Blades’ owners had explored such a move.
The Owls went into administration last month, and there has since been a lot of interest in buying the Championship club, despite the fact that the 12-point deduction has almost surely consigned them to relegation.
Of course, some prospective purchasers are far more genuine than others, and it will be the administrators’ responsibility to identify a preferred bidder before the December 5th deadline.
Sheffield United’s owners expressed an interest in purchasing Sheffield Wednesday.
In a surprise discovery this week, it was reported that Sheffield United’s US owners, COH Sports, had launched an inquiry into purchasing their bitter rivals in what would have been an incredible transaction. Furthermore, additional rumors indicated that the two clubs were considering merging.
Obviously, that would have sparked outrage among the two fan bases, and if true, it would have raised serious worries among Sheffield United fans about how out of touch their owners are.
In a further development, journalist Rob Dorsett has stated that any merger talks between the two clubs would have been promptly halted by the EFL and the new Football Regulator.
“It has been made clear to me that neither the EFL nor the new Football Regulator will accept the notion of Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday merging, regardless of whether this email of inquiry from United’s owners is authentic. SWFC managers are focusing on more serious bids from outside.”
EFL must be stringent in approving new owners.
It should be noted that this claim has not been entirely confirmed, but if Sheffield United’s owners have expressed an interest in purchasing Sheffield Wednesday, it will raise severe concerns among fans.
For starters, it’s encouraging that Dorsett’s statement indicates that something like this would not be tolerated, but the reality is that many clubs have suffered from poor ownership over time.
This isn’t just about Sheffield United; all teams must be preserved, because rivalry and competition are what make the English game, and football in general, so thrilling, and why fans are so devoted.
So, the EFL and Football Regulator must acknowledge their duty when sanctioning any takeovers, which will be highlighted once more when a preferred bidder is announced to buy Sheffield Wednesday.
The main positive for the Owls is that there is a lot of interest in the club, and there should be some clarification on their condition in the coming weeks following a stressful period for the club.
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