Sheffield Wednesday ‘can’t go on like this’ as Supporters Trust bemoans latest wage issue
The Star began investigating the matter on Monday after being informed that at least some players hadn’t yet received their wages for the month of March, but while looking into things the club ended up releasing a statement confirming the ‘temporary issue’ with salaries.
Wednesday said that the problems ‘occurred as a result of significant sums of money owed to the chairman’s businesses which has in turn impacted on the club’s immediate cashflow’, adding that Dejphon Chansiri was ‘working hard to resolve this situation at the earliest possible opportunity’. When that will be, however, remains to be seen.
The Trust has since expressed ‘extreme disappointment’ over the announcements, saying that it’s a development that will have left many supporters ‘feeling uneasy’. They also referenced the ‘enough is enough’ movement that has been gaining traction online.
Enough is enough for Sheffield Wednesday fans
Chair, Ian Bennett, said in a statement, “We are very concerned once again about the financial instability affecting the club and the implications it may have on its operations and reputation. The Trust wants to see full transparency and accountability in addressing these issues.
“We urge the chairman to resolve the situation immediately to ensure the payment of the players and staff, as is their contractual right. This development will understandably have left fans feeling uneasy about the club’s immediate future. Fans were already saying enough is enough. We just can’t go on like this.”
Wednesday had to report the matter to the English Football League within two working days of the default, with an embargo set to follow if the amounts owed are not paid imminently.
Unrest stirs at Sheffield Wednesday as Dejphon Chansiri financial issues emerge
Sheffield Wednesday confirmed on Monday evening that there had been a “temporary issue with the payment of player salaries for March”.
The non-payment of wages is the second financial infraction for the Owls this season, after the club were placed on a temporary registration embargo in October for delayed payment of monies owed to HMRC.
Club statements on both incidents have attributed the problems to late payments of money owed to chairman Dejphon Chansiri, with the latest update asserting that the chairman is “working hard to resolve the situation at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Wednesday currently sit 12th in the Championship, five points outside the play-off places, following a disappointing 1-1 draw against Cardiff City on Saturday.
While performances on the pitch under Danny Rohl have generated optimism, this latest off-field issue raises renewed concerns regarding the club’s financial stability.
Sheffield Wednesday confirm players have not been paid March wages
“Sheffield Wednesday can confirm a temporary issue with the payment of player salaries for the month of March,” reads a statement on the club’s website.
“This has occurred as a result of significant sums of money owed to the chairman’s businesses which has in turn impacted on the club’s immediate cashflow.”
“The chairman is working hard to resolve this situation at the earliest possible opportunity and in the meantime thanks everyone for their patience and understanding.”
This is not the first time wage payments have been delayed at Hillsborough. In 2020, players had their salaries capped at £7,000 per month due to ongoing financial difficulties under Chansiri’s ownership.
With the club still recovering from the financial mismanagement that led to a points deduction and relegation to League One, the latest development represents another setback for an already frustrated fanbase.
There had been a cautious optimism at Hillsborough under Danny Rohl, as the club remained on an unlikely play off push at the beginning of the season.
