EFL in advanced discussions with Dejphon Chansiri over Sheffield Wednesday sale

North Wales Chronicle

21 hours ago

Wednesday have lurched from one crisis to another in recent seasons and are currently under various EFL-imposed embargoes for financial breaches, including late payment of wages to players and staff.
Salaries were not paid on time for the third successive month in July and players refused to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Burnley last Saturday.
That heightened concern within the EFL that the club would not be able to fulfil Sunday's game at Leicester, but the players have since confirmed they will play in their opening Sky Bet Championship fixture.
Chansiri, who bought the Owls for £37.5million in 2015, has said he is ready to sell at the right price, but has confirmed he has turned down one bid for £40m, while talks with various other interested parties have stalled.
The EFL said in a statement on Wednesday that it was working closely with Chansiri in his bid to find a buyer.
The governing body said: 'The League wants to see a strong, stable and competitive Sheffield Wednesday, and for that to happen we are clear that the current owner needs either to fund the club to meet its obligations or make good on his commitment to sell to a well-funded party, for fair market value – ending the current uncertainty and impasse.
'We continue to pursue options available to us to resolve the current challenges, and to that end the League is currently in advanced discussions with Mr Chansiri's legal advisors on formalising a process around divestment of his shareholding in the club.'
The EFL said there were 'no restrictions on the club starting the season on Sunday as planned' and that it had been in 'daily contact' with Wednesday.
'While much of this focuses on our work to safeguard Sheffield Wednesday's financial position and ability to fulfil its obligations, the League also has a duty to fairly and consistently apply its regulations, which are agreed by all member clubs, and ensure that other member clubs are not unfairly disadvantaged,' the EFL said.
Wednesday have been under embargoes for failing to pay money owed to HMRC and other clubs for transfer fees as well as for late payment of player and staff wages.
'The club has now surpassed 30 days of late payments for the year beginning July 1, 2025. As a result, the club's fee restriction has been extended to the end of the winter transfer window in the 2026/27 season,' the EFL added.
'The EFL can also confirm that the club was placed under a further embargo for non-payment of players.'
Under EFL rules, the delayed payments allowed key players Josh Windass and Michael Smith to walk away from their contracts for free to join Wrexham and Preston respectively, while it has been reported defender Max Lowe has also handed in his notice.
Amid the summer chaos, former manager Danny Rohl initially failed to return for pre-season training before eventually departing by mutual agreement and being replaced by his assistant Henrik Pedersen.
#SWFC #EnoughlsEnough #WAWAW pic.twitter.com/yMxagEzcbu
— Sheffield Wednesday Supporters' Trust (@SWFCTrust) August 3, 2025
Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported former Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor said he was 'definitely interested' in buying the Owls, but had not yet made any approach to Chansiri.
The Owls have sold out their allocation for Sunday's trip to the King Power Stadium, where Sheffield Wednesday Supporters' Trust has planned a large-scale protest.
The Trust has called on fans to delay entry to their seats until five minutes after kick-off, while a large banner will be displayed in 'a visibly empty away end'.