Premier League strugglers Sheffield United will start next season with a two-point deduction if they are relegated to the Championship.
United, currently bottom of the Premier League, were hit with the punishment after defaulting on payments to other clubs during their promotion-winning Championship campaign in 2022/23.
An independent commission imposed the deduction, which will be activated when the Blades are next under the English Football League’s jurisdiction.
A further two-point penalty has been suspended.
That would be triggered if United default on any payment to another club under a transfer or compensation agreement for more than five business days from the due date of payment.
“An independent disciplinary commission (IDC) has determined that Sheffield United Football Club are to be deducted two points at the start of the next season the club is in the EFL’s jurisdiction, with a further two points suspended until the end of that same season,” an EFL statement said.
“The sanction relates to the 2022/23 season, when the club defaulted on a number of payments to other clubs. These defaults cumulatively were in excess of 550 days.”
The club also agreed to pay the EFL’s costs of more than £310,000 ($388,000).
Chris Wilder’s team, who travel to Brentford on Saturday, are nine points from safety with seven games to play.
World Cup News
Winter Olympics
Watch: Geisenberger wins sixth Olympic medal to tie luge record
