October 31 – Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri has again attacked the club’s fans for being “negative”, demanding that they fund the £2 million required to save their club from transfer window sanctions and potential bankruptcy.
The Thai businessman has asked supporters who “call themselves owners” to come up with the £2 million sum within the next few days in order to save the Championship club from a three-window transfer embargo and fines.
He also admitted the possibility that players and club staff may not be paid this month amid major cash flow issues.
The financial issues are the result of a looming deadline for the payment of a tax debt owed by the club to HMRC. Chansiri says the cash issues are a result of unpaid debts owed to him in his “personal business life” that have restricted his own cashflow.
Chansiri, whose net worth is reportedly £500 million, said that only if those supporters commit the necessary funds, do they “have the right” to request his departure from the club.
This outburst marks the latest tension between Chansiri and Wednesday fans, with the Owl’s owner last month branding them “selfish”, claiming that “enough is enough” and refusing to put any additional money into the club that sit bottom of the England’s second tier on just six points after 14 games. Wednesday won promotion to the Championship last season.
He told the Sheffield Star: “With HMRC, if we don’t pay until the fifth of November, then that means it’s been 14 days, but if we don’t pay wages as well then that’s five days – that means a total of 19 days. Each issue counts separately.
“If 20,000 people gave £100 then it’s £2 million, and it’d be clear – so we can finish it. That would cover everything, HMRC and the wages. That would need to be done before November 10 if they don’t want to pass the 30 days, but that means that there can be no next time. If we were to hit 30 days then we’ll get a ban for three windows.
“I still love this club. I don’t want anything to happen to this club. I ask the ‘owners’ to save your club because I have done my best.
“If you don’t want to save your club, then don’t call yourselves the owners and me the custodian. If you save your club, then you have the right to ask me to leave. There is no need to make it complicated. I could leave no issue. That is the easy way. I have tried my best for almost nine years, I try everything even in the Covid situation with no revenue. If I wanted to make it bad, I would have already left. I don’t need to be here.”
Sheffield Wednesday face Bristol City away from home on Saturday afternoon, but even a hard-to-come-by three points would do little to remedy concern around the club.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734962338labto1734962338ofdlr1734962338owedi1734962338sni@g1734962338niwe.1734962338yrrah1734962338