Sheffield Wednesday: Owls fail to pay wages of players for March due to cashflow issues for owner Dejphon Chansiri

Sheffield Wednesday have failed to pay their players’ wages for March due to cashflow problems suffered by owner Dejphon Chansiri.

The club said it was a “temporary issue” due to debts owed to the 56-year-old Thai businessman, whose family control the Thai Union Group, the world’s largest producer of canned tuna.

Wednesday are 12th in the Championship – five points outside the play-off places – and face Hull City at home on Saturday.

“Sheffield Wednesday can confirm a temporary issue with the payment of player salaries for the month of March,” said a club statement.

“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.”

Chansiri headed up a Thai consortium which bought Wednesday from Milan Mandaric in January 2015, but his time in charge of the club has seen a number of financial challenges.

In July 2019, Wednesday sold their Hillsborough stadium to Chansiri for about £60m in ensure they did not breach spending rules.

Then in October 2023, Chansiri asked fans to raise £2m to help the club pay an outstanding debt to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and cover wages.

Last November, the Owls were placed under a registration embargo by the EFL over amounts owed to HMRC.

Chansiri’s stewardship of the club has been criticised by fans, who have protested at matches this season, while his relationship with manager Danny Rohl has become strained.