Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri asks fans to raise £2m to pay off HMRC debt, cover staff wages and avoid lengthy transfer embargo weeks after he stopped putting money into the Championship club

• Owner Chansiri blamed ‘cash-flow issues’ within his personal business life 
• He invited fans ‘who describe themselves as owners’ to stump up the £2million
• Wednesday risk a multi-window transfer embargo if the debts aren’t settled 

Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri has called on fans to raise £2million in order to save the club from falling into a multi-window transfer embargo.

The Owls chairman has also admitted players and staff at the Championship club may not get paid due to ‘cash-flow issues’ within his personal business life.

Chansiri said the outstanding HMRC debt has not yet been paid after the club were placed into a registration embargo by the EFL last week.

The Thai businessman invited ‘supporters who describe themselves as owners’ to come forward to help the club out of its problems, while denying he was deliberately withholding funds as a power play.  

In an interview with the Sheffield Star, he said: ‘If 20,000 people gave £100 then it’s £2m, and it’d be clear – so we can finish it.

Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri has asked fans to raise £2million to pay off debts owned to HMRC, cover the wage bill and prevent a lengthy transfer embargo

Chansiri celebrates Wednesday’s promotion by winning the League One play-off final in May

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‘That would cover everything, HMRC and the wages. That would need to be done before November 10 if they don’t want to pass the 30 days, but that means that there can be no next time – if we were to hit 30 days then we’ll get a ban for three windows.

‘Why would I need to play a game? If I don’t pay my staff and they get mad with me then my club is going to be worse. 

‘If the staff don’t get money, they don’t do their job and the club is worse off. Why would I take the risk to make problems for my people? That is my last choice to do.

‘You do not understand how important this club is to me and my family. I have been here nine years and it is a part of my life.’

In a message to critics within the fanbase, Chansiri added: ‘If you don’t want to save your club, then don’t call yourselves the owners and me the custodian. 

‘If you save your club, then you have the right to ask me to leave. There is no need to make it complicated. I could leave no issue. That is the easy way. 

‘I have tried my best for almost nine years, I try everything even in the Covid situation with no revenue. If I wanted to make it bad, I would have already left. I don’t need to be here.’ 

Wednesday finally claimed their first win in the Championship by beating Rotherham 2-0

Danny Rohl was grinning from ear to ear as struggling Sheffield Wednesday beat Rotherham

On Friday, Wednesday were put under a registration embargo by the EFL because of the money owed to HMRC. It means the club cannot register any players without prior written consent.

Last month, Chansiri said he would no longer put any money into the club because of ‘selfish’ sections of the fanbase who ‘create trouble… and believe they are the real owner.’

He said some had ‘crossed the line’ by insulting his family.

It comes as Wednesday struggle in the Championship following their promotion through the League One play-offs last season.

Promotion-winning manager Darren Moore departed before the season and his replacement Xisco Munoz lasted only until October 4 following a dismal run that saw them rock bottom of the table.

Wednesday finally claimed their first league win of the season on Sunday, beating South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United 2-0, with German coach Danny Rohl now in charge at Hillsborough.

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