Sheffield Wednesday Fans Demand Change Amid Ownership Crisis
As Sheffield Wednesday supporters gathered outside Leicester City's King Power Stadium, a plane circled overhead, trailing a banner that read "Dejphon Chansiri Out." Inside the stadium, another banner was draped across empty seats, calling for the owner to sell the club.
Fans have united against Chansiri, whom they now view as a common adversary, nearly a decade after he took over with ambitions of returning the club to the Premier League. Their objective is clear: they want Chansiri to find a buyer and leave Hillsborough.
Approximately 2,000 fans waited outside, displaying a flag depicting Chansiri as Del Boy from the sitcom "Only Fools and Horses," with the blunt message: "Sell the club you plonker!" This protest was largely good-natured, with former loanee Shea Charles receiving a warm welcome upon arrival, as his brother Pierce plays as the Wednesday goalkeeper.
However, the gathering highlighted the deep-seated fears among supporters regarding the club's future. Fans intentionally delayed taking their seats until the fifth minute, a poignant gesture symbolizing their discontent with the current ownership.
Once inside, particularly after Wednesday took an early lead in a spirited match that ultimately ended in a 2-1 defeat, the Owls' supporters dominated the atmosphere, chanting for Chansiri to step down.
The contrast between the two clubs' ownership could not be more stark. While Wednesday fans protested, a short distance away, Leicester supporters paid tribute to former owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2018. Vichai is fondly remembered for his contributions to the community and for leading Leicester to their historic Premier League title.
In stark contrast, Chansiri has remained largely silent and has become increasingly unpopular among fans. Ian Bennett, chairman of the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters' Trust, stated, "It's killing the club. The only positive that has emerged is that many supporters have come together with a shared desire to see him gone." He added, "Sheffield is known as the biggest village in the world; everyone knows each other, and the old-fashioned mentality still prevails, affecting everyone, whether they're football fans or not."
How Did Wednesday Get Here?
Chansiri, whose family owns the seafood company Thai Union Group, acquired Sheffield Wednesday from Milan Mandaric in 2015, but his tenure has seen a decline in the club's fortunes. In 2020, Wednesday faced a 12-point deduction—later reduced to six on appeal—for violating EFL profitability and sustainability rules. The Owls were relegated from the Championship but returned in 2023, only to face a transfer embargo due to unpaid debts to HMRC.
The situation has worsened, with head coach Danny Rohl and most of his staff departing this summer, leading to Henrik Pedersen's appointment as his successor. The North Stand at Hillsborough has been closed due to structural concerns, and several players have issued notices to the club, as FIFA regulations allow them to do so if they have not been compensated for two consecutive months.
Notably, two key players, Josh Windass and Michael Smith, have left for Wrexham and Preston respectively, while winger Djeidi Gassama was sold to Rangers for £2.2 million. The EFL has charged the club and Chansiri for consistently paying players and staff late, with PFA chief executive Maheta Molango describing the situation as "shocking." The union remains in contact with the squad, who boycotted their final pre-season friendly against Burnley.
Molango stated, "We are in touch with them. It's not an easy situation, as ultimately, people need to be paid. It's shocking to see this happening in England, where such issues are typically associated with other countries." The impact extends beyond the players; club staff have expressed distress over their financial futures. The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters' Trust has established a fund to assist struggling staff, allowing them to apply for a £500 grant anonymously.
Bennett emphasized, "For low-paid individuals, going three or four months without wages is devastating. While players may manage for a while, staff on minimum wage face a dire situation."
What Now?
The establishment of an independent football regulator is anticipated to provide much-needed relief for Wednesday. This regulatory body, recently signed into law, will be officially launched later this year, granting it authority independent of both government and football authorities.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy remarked, "This is a significant moment for football fans, as we have seen too many clubs, including my own, Wigan Athletic, at risk due to poor ownership and financial mismanagement. This legislation aims to restore fans' central role in the game." However, for Wednesday supporters, immediate action remains elusive.
Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East and a lifelong Wednesday fan, noted, "Both the secretary of state and sports minister recognize the severity of the issues at Wednesday and the need for urgent action. However, while the regulator is poised to act, it currently lacks the ability to intervene as a major football club faces crisis."
Despite the challenges, there is hope that Wednesday will endure, although public sentiment alone may not suffice. The club recently received a solidarity payment from the Premier League, enabling them to settle debts with staff and players, but this financial relief is temporary. The closure of the North Stand and fan boycotts have significantly impacted revenue.
While Wednesday is no longer under a transfer embargo, they remain unable to pay transfer fees for players—either permanent or on loan—until 2027 due to exceeding 30 days of late payments. The EFL has stated it is in "advanced discussions" with Chansiri regarding the sale of the club, with former Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor expressing interest, and a US-based consortium having had two bids rejected.
In the meantime, the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters' Trust, which financed the protest plane and stadium banner, is actively exploring the possibility of establishing a phoenix club.