Sheffield United will have to start their next season in the Championship with minus two points after being sanctioned by the English Football League.

Their punishment has been handed out to the Blades after the club defaulted on a number of payments in the 2022-23 season whilst they were still part of the EFL and won promotion to the Premier League.

A statement released by the club after the punishment was made official said: “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 payments which were owed to other clubs totalled more than 550 days and triggered a penalty under the league’s rules. They have also had a further two-point penalty suspended by the EFL which will be activated if the club fail to fulfil financial obligations to clubs they have agreed on a transfer or compensation with for more than five days.

The club are very likely to feel the repercussions of this punishment next season as they sit at the bottom of the Premier League, 10 points adrift from safety with five games to go.

Sheffield United will be hoping to fight for promotion in their first season back in the Championship if they get relegated but this sanction will make it a much harder task. They would start the season in 24th place looking to play catch up with the other 23 teams.

Discussing the punishment, manager Chris Wilder said: “From my point of view I’m really concentrating on the short and medium term in terms of getting our team right for next week and making sure that medium term we put in place things to be better in everything we do, whatever division we find ourselves in next season.”

As this matter has now been resolved and the club highly likely to be facing this punishment next season, they can establish their focus early and plan for the difficulties they will face next season. The Blades will hope that they do not fall foul of the EFL rules when making further payments to other clubs and do not receive an additional two-point penalty. They can now put this disappointing season aside and hope that they can overcome a setback that they should be better prepared for.