Sheffield Wednesday in Crisis as Fans Revolt

3 days ago

As Sheffield Wednesday fans gathered outside Leicester City's King Power Stadium, their chants were accompanied by an aerial protest - a plane circling overhead with a banner reading "Dejphon Chansiri Out". Inside the stadium, another message awaited, with empty seats displaying a banner urging the owner to sell.

This unified protest marks a dramatic shift in sentiment toward Chansiri, who arrived a decade ago with promises of Premier League football. Now, Wednesday supporters view him as the club's greatest obstacle, demanding his departure from Hillsborough.

The Protest Takes Shape

During the Championship season opener, approximately 2,000 Wednesday fans converged on Leicester, their support for the team intertwined with anti-Chansiri demonstrations. Outside the stadium, a flag depicted the owner as Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses, bluntly stating: "Sell the club you plonker!"

While the protest maintained good spirits, it revealed deeper concerns among supporters. Many fear Chansiri's leadership is destroying their club, with some even questioning its long-term survival.

A Club in Crisis

Wednesday's troubles run deep:

Repeated late payments to HMRC and staff
Multiple transfer embargoes
The closure of Hillsborough's North Stand due to safety concerns
Key players leaving after issuing termination notices

As one 84-year-old fan described, this period represents "the worst in my life" to support the club.

Ownership Contrasts

The Leicester match highlighted stark differences in club ownership. While Wednesday fans protested, Foxes supporters paid tribute to their late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha - a figure celebrated for both football success and community contributions.

"It's killing the club," said Ian Bennett of Sheffield Wednesday Supporters' Trust. "The only positive is how supporters have united to remove him."

The Road to Crisis

Chansiri's tenure has seen:

A points deduction for financial breaches
Relegation and subsequent promotion
Mass staff departures this summer
Players exercising their right to leave after unpaid wages

PFA chief Maheta Molango called the situation "shocking", noting such issues are rare in English football.

Human Impact

The crisis extends beyond players to club staff struggling with unpaid wages. The Supporters' Trust has established a relief fund, offering £500 grants to affected employees.

"For low-paid staff, going months without wages is devastating," Bennett emphasized.

Potential Solutions

Hope may come from:

The incoming football regulator (recently signed into law)
Potential takeover interest from former Crystal Palace owner John Textor
A US consortium that previously made bids

However, the Supporters' Trust isn't waiting - they've begun planning for a potential phoenix club. "The problem isn't finding buyers," noted deputy chairman James Silverwood, "it's finding a willing seller."

While confidence remains that Wednesday will survive, the extent of damage before resolution remains uncertain.