Sheffield Wednesday: Owls fail to pay wages of players for March due to cashflow issues for owner Dejphon Chansiri

Sheffield Wednesday Football Club failed to pay players' March wages on time due to cash flow problems faced by club chairman Dejphon Chansiri. The club stated that this was a "temporary issue" caused by outstanding debts owed to Mr. Chansiri's businesses. This situation has raised concerns about the club's financial stability and future prospects.

In a statement, the club said: "Sheffield Wednesday acknowledges there has been a temporary delay in the payment of players' wages for March. This is due to significant funds owed to Mr. Chansiri's businesses impacting the club's immediate cash flow. The chairman is working to resolve the matter as quickly as possible and thanks everyone for their patience and understanding." Mr. Chansiri's family controls Thai Union Group, the world's largest producer of canned tuna.

Chansiri led a Thai consortium to acquire Sheffield Wednesday from Milan Mandaric in January 2015. However, he has faced numerous financial challenges since taking over the club. Previously, to ensure compliance with financial regulations, Sheffield Wednesday sold their home ground, Hillsborough stadium, to Chansiri for approximately £60 million in July 2019. In October 2023, Chansiri also asked fans to raise £2 million to help the club pay debts owed to HMRC and pay wages.

Last November, Sheffield Wednesday was placed under a player registration embargo by the English Football League (EFL) for failing to pay amounts due to HMRC. Fans have criticized Mr. Chansiri's management of the club, with protests occurring during matches this season, and his relationship with head coach Danny Rohl has also become strained. A growing number of fans are angered and demanding explanations from the club, as this is not the first time players have not received their wages on time during Chansiri's tenure at Sheffield Wednesday.

Fans are questioning why the club sold season tickets in the early bird window before Christmas, only to find themselves unable to pay wages in March. The club claims that this is because Mr. Chansiri's other businesses are owed "significant funds," thus "impacting immediate cash flow." However, many have lost patience. This wage delay comes after the club was placed under a second player registration embargo within 12 months by the EFL last November for failing to pay amounts due to HMRC. What is the financial sustainability of Sheffield Wednesday? Where does the club's future lie? These questions need to be answered more clearly than just a statement. Fans are worried, and some are even embarrassed. They deserve answers. This latest incident will undoubtedly trigger more calls for Chansiri to sell the club.

Although Sheffield Wednesday is currently only 5 points away from the promotion play-off zone, they lack the solid foundation that a team with aspirations of competing for a place in the top flight should have. Fans dream of returning to the Premier League after a 25-year absence, but in the current environment, this is not realistic. The club is still far behind in terms of infrastructure and finances. Furthermore, there are reports that other clubs are interested in Sheffield Wednesday's highly talented young head coach, Danny Rohl, and this incident may be another reason for him to leave, which would undoubtedly be a major loss for the club.