Pundit Lee Hendrie has warned that it would spell further bad news for Sheffield Wednesday if owner Dejphon Chansiri continues to control Hillsborough Stadium even after potentially selling the club.
Wednesday’s off-field situation has gone from bad to worse under Chansiri’s ownership. The club has paid wages late in five of the last seven months, is banned from paying transfer fees for the next three windows, and remains under multiple EFL embargoes. To make matters worse, the Daily Mail recently revealed that the club could soon face a winding-up petition from HMRC over an unpaid £750,000 tax bill.
If Chansiri fails to clear the debt, administration looms as a real possibility — a decision that rests solely with him as the club’s only director. Despite that, there is still outside interest in buying the club. Former Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor, ex-Newcastle United chief Mike Ashley, and businessman David Richards have all been linked with takeovers. However, Chansiri reportedly remains reluctant to sell fully, preferring partial investment instead.
Even more concerning for fans, journalist Alan Nixon has claimed that Chansiri intends to retain ownership of Hillsborough even if the club is sold or enters administration. This would mean any new owner would have to pay rent to use the historic ground — or even consider relocating to a new stadium.
Speaking to Football League World, Hendrie said he understands Chansiri’s desire to recoup some of his money but insists that his continued involvement — especially if he holds on to Hillsborough — would only harm the club further.
“I think the sooner Chansiri is away from Sheffield Wednesday, the better,” Hendrie said.
“It would be bad news if he stayed connected to the club in any way — whether through the stadium or otherwise. Things have turned so sour under his ownership that it’s best for everyone if he walks away completely.”
Hendrie added that while Chansiri’s motivation to recover some of his investment is understandable, his actions have created a toxic atmosphere around the club.
Meanwhile, tensions among supporters continue to grow. Fans are planning a boycott of the upcoming match against Middlesbrough at Hillsborough, as anger builds over Chansiri’s handling of the club’s finances and his apparent reluctance to step aside. Some even believe that administration might be the only way forward, despite the heavy 12-point deduction it would bring, as it could finally end Chansiri’s reign.
However, since Chansiri owns Hillsborough separately, he could still maintain a link to Sheffield Wednesday even after administration — unless a new buyer is willing to pay a significant fee to take the stadium off his hands.
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