Sheffield United to begin their next EFL season with two point deduction

:Sheffield United will be deducted two points at the start of the next season that they are in the English Football League over defaulting on payments to other clubs, the EFL said on Thursday.

The charges relate to the 2022-2023 season, when United were promoted from the Championship (second-tier), and the club were also given a further two points suspended, which will be activated if they default on a payment to another club.

"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," the EFL statement said.

The Premier League's bottom club United said they will not appeal the sanction and have agreed to pay the EFL's costs of 310,455 pounds ($388,565.48).

"While disappointed to have the deduction imposed upon the return to the EFL and highlighting that awaiting overdue monies from several other clubs affected Sheffield United's financial situation, the club took the view that it was better to reach an agreement which minimised the risks of a higher deduction or further transfer embargoes being imposed, and being distracted by lengthy and costly legal proceedings.

"The club is now in a position to close this matter and concentrate on the future."

The EFL sent a letter in March 2023 informing the club that they had decided to refer them to a Disciplinary Commission.

United say the relevant sums had been paid in full, on several occasions only days after they were due, or renegotiated with new payment dates adhered to before they were notified of the referral.

The payments defaulted on related to five different player