Despite Sheffield Wednesday sitting on -6 points and needing to make up a 15-point gap to safety, manager Henrik Pedersen insists he has “a big belief we can survive.” The club was hit with a 12-point deduction for entering administration on Friday.
The move was made by owner Dejphon Chansiri, ending a disastrous tenure that fans blame for the club’s collapse. The club owes $pounds{}$1 million in taxes and has repeatedly failed to pay staff, leading to a depleted squad.
Pedersen, who has not spoken to Chansiri, met with administrators from Begbies Traynor. He told his “emotional” staff that the club needed a “fresh restart” and that he sees a “bright future” for the “fantastic club.”
The administration was met with “bittersweet” reactions from fans, who are “overjoyed” at Chansiri’s exit but devastated by the penalty. Seats with his name were quickly removed from the stands.
The Supporters Trust is now calling for a “phase of renewal,” urging fans to end their boycotts and return to Hillsborough. “Now is the time to be Wednesday,” their statement concluded.