Turmoil at Hillsborough – Dejphon Chansiri Under Pressure as Sheffield Wednesday Faces EFL Charges
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club has once again found itself at the centre of controversy, as club owner Dejphon Chansiri has been formally charged by the English Football League (EFL) over repeated failures to pay staff and players on time.
The charges relate to delayed wage payments in both March and May of this year. The EFL has issued a 14-day deadline for Chansiri and the club to respond, warning that sanctions — including a potential transfer embargo — could follow if satisfactory explanations are not provided.
Mounting Pressure on Chansiri
Chansiri, who took control of the club in 2015, has faced growing criticism for his management of Sheffield Wednesday in recent years. These latest charges come on the heels of past financial infractions, including a six-point deduction in the 2020–21 season for breaching Profit & Sustainability rules and multiple embargoes due to poor financial governance.
In a public statement, Chansiri apologised to fans and staff, citing cash flow issues related to debts owed to his other business interests. He maintained that he still intends to fund the club moving forward but offered no clear roadmap for resolving the recurring financial issues.
Fans Demand Change
Supporters have grown increasingly frustrated with the direction of the club under Chansiri’s leadership. In April, hundreds of fans marched to Hillsborough Stadium demanding his departure, chanting “We want our Wednesday back.” Online, social media is ablaze with calls for the owner to step aside, with fans accusing him of running the club into the ground.
One supporter wrote, “The longer this goes on, the more damage he causes. He’s too stubborn to sell, but he’ll drive us into collapse before he admits it.”
Political Pressure Mounts
The crisis has now reached Parliament, with Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts openly calling for Chansiri to sell the club. Betts, a lifelong Sheffield Wednesday supporter, described the current ownership as a “disgrace” and urged the EFL to investigate the club’s finances.
“It breaks my heart to see the club I’ve supported all my life held hostage by an owner who clearly has no regard for the fans or the future of Sheffield Wednesday,” said Betts. “He must step aside before it’s too late.”
A Club in Crisis
The timing could not be worse. Despite a remarkable end to the 2024–25 season that saw the Owls avoid relegation under head coach Danny Röhl, the club now risks further turmoil. Röhl himself is reportedly considering his future, disillusioned by the ongoing off-field issues.
Financial experts have warned that, should the situation worsen, Wednesday could face deeper sanctions, including additional points deductions or operational restrictions.
What’s Next?
With fans, politicians, and even staff losing faith, the pressure on Dejphon Chansiri has never been higher. While he insists he will not sell unless the “right buyer” emerges, the call for change is growing louder by the day.
As the EFL investigates, the club faces a pivotal crossroads — one that could shape the future of Sheffield Wednesday for years to come.
