Deduction halved: How Sheffield Wednesday have suddenly closed the gap on Rotherham United

The Millers' derby rivals began the season on minus-12 points after being found guilty of financial irregularities relating to the sale of their stadium, Hillsborough.

Nineteenth-placed Rotherham, who beat Gary Monk's side 3-0 last week, had been ten points ahead of Wednesday going into tonight's home encounter with Luton Town.

However, that margin is now only four points following the panel's ruling which lifted the S6 outfit out of bottom spot and above Wycombe Wanderers.

The Owls had appealed against the original punishment.

An EFL statement this evening read: "The EFL notes the decision taken by an independent league arbitration panel in respect of Sheffield Wednesday’s appeal against the findings of an Independent Disciplinary Commission in July 2020.

"The club was charged with breaching the league’s profitability and sustainability rules in November 2019 and found guilty, based on the fact that the club should not have included profits from the sale of Hillsborough Stadium in the club’s financial statements for the period ending July 2018.

"The independent panel has today rejected the club’s appeal related to matters surrounding the stadium sale and on consideration of the sanction; they did not agree with the Club’s assertion that a points deduction should not have been imposed.

"However, they did opt to reduce the sporting punishment from 12 points to six, which will be effective immediately."