Sheffield Wednesday Plunged into Chaos as Players Left Unpaid Due to Financial Woes
In a shocking turn of events, Sheffield Wednesday has left their players in distress as they failed to pay their salaries for the month of March on time. The club cited “temporary cashflow” problems as the reason behind the delayed payments, sparking concerns among the team members and fans alike.
Chairman Dejphon Chansiri, who is leading the charge to address the issue, assured that the payment delay is only a short-term setback. A statement released by the club explained, “Significant sums of money owed to the chairman’s businesses have impacted the club’s immediate cashflow, leading to the delay in player salary payments for March.”
Chansiri, a prominent figure linked to the Thai Union Group, faces mounting pressure as this is not the first instance of payment delays during his tenure. The consortium, headed by Chansiri, acquired Sheffield Wednesday in 2015 for a hefty sum of £37.5m, aiming to steer the club to success. However, financial troubles seem to have plagued the club, with previous incidents of late player payments and other monetary challenges.
To alleviate financial strains, Sheffield Wednesday made a controversial decision to sell their iconic Hillsborough stadium to Chansiri for approximately £60m in 2019. This move was essential to avoid breaching financial regulations. Furthermore, in a desperate plea to the fans in October 2023, Chansiri sought their assistance in raising £2m to settle a debt with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and cover outstanding wages. Last year, the club faced repercussions from the English Football League (EFL) as they were slapped with a registration embargo due to outstanding dues to HMRC.
The turmoil surrounding Sheffield Wednesday’s financial instability raises concerns about the club’s future and the well-being of its players. As Chansiri scrambles to rectify the cashflow crisis, the loyal supporters and football enthusiasts await eagerly for a resolution to this tumultuous situation.