Sheff Wed wage payments delayed again

Dejphon Chansiri took over as Sheffield Wednesday owner in 2015

Sheffield Wednesday players and staff have not received their monthly wages on time for the second time in three months.

BBC Radio Sheffield understands payment had been due on Friday and has contacted the club for a response.

March's wages were eventually paid on 7 April after what the club called a "temporary issue" because of debts owed to owner Dejphon Chansiri, whose family control the Thai Union Group, the world's largest producer of canned tuna.

He has been in charge of the Championship side for 10 years and last month said there had been "no substantial interest" in buying the club after fans protested against his ownership.

Wednesday have been placed under a registration embargo in each of the past two seasons amid financial problems and were deducted six points in 2020-21, a season where they were relegated from the second tier, for breaching spending rules.

The South Yorkshire side finished 12th this season, 10 points off the play-off places and nine clear of the relegation zone.

'A worrying time and many want change' - Analysis

BBC Radio Sheffield reporter Rob Staton

Sheffield Wednesday fans ended the season protesting against chairman Dejphon Chansiri in a way we haven't seen from this fanbase in the past.

There was concern the last time wages were not paid on time - in March - that if it happened again within a certain timeframe, the club faced a potential transfer embargo. I suspect that can still be avoided, depending on the length of the delay.

However, it is clearly a big concern that on the final Friday of the month, wages have again not been paid on time.

It has been reported that a second bid to buy the club from an American consortium was made recently and the pressure will only grow on Chansiri given today's news.

There's so much uncertainty around Hillsborough. What is happening with manager Danny Rohl? What kind of plans are being made for next season? More importantly, though, how financially stable is this club? What is the future?

There simply aren't any answers coming from the chairman.

Looking at what is being said online and speaking to supporters, many have had enough. They worry about the reputational damage of their club. They wonder if there's a financially viable future. They look at the troubles at Reading recently and wonder if that could happen to them. It's a worrying time and many want change.