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If and when a takeover occurs at Sheffield Wednesday, there is still hope it can see the club avoid the punishments incurred from Dejphon Chansiri’s current mess.
Sheffield Wednesday are currently under a three-window transfer embargo due to unpaid wages and HMRC bills.
Fans are desperate for Dejphon Chansiri to leave the club now and there is constant speculation at the moment that he will do just that, with the likes of Tilman Fertitta thought to be keen to buy the club.
There are, of course, fears that a takeover will never happen. Even if it does, it could be a long time before it is finalised. Still, it could be well worth the wait.
Kieran Maguire claims EFL will try to reduce Sheffield Wednesday punishments
In an EFL Analysis exclusive, we spoke to finance expert Kieran Maguire about the situation in S6; more specifically, is there any way that the new owners coming in can put right the chaos that Chansiri has caused?
Maguire said: “I mean part of the reason why Sheffield Wednesday have transfer restrictions is that the current owner made commitments to the EFL which he doesn’t appear to have upheld. Those commitments were in relation to the payment of wages on time.
“A new owner might be able to put down a deposit and say to the EFL, ‘Look, I’m showing you my money now.’ The EFL don’t want to be awkward for the sake of being awkward. They don’t want to be awkward if it reduces the opportunity to sell Sheffield Wednesday.
“So my view is that they will take a practical approach to this and if there’s a way which satisfies the rule book, you know, their issue is with Chansiri, not with the football club.”
It is thought Chansiri paid the majority of wages to players and staff on Tuesday, which eases the situation somewhat. But, those wages will need to be paid again in two weeks.
Those embargoes Sheffield Wednesday have hanging over them will be going nowhere any time soon. However, if new owners come through the door, they could work with the EFL to reverse the damage caused by Chansiri.
“Get rid of Chansiri and then we’ve got a completely different working environment and a new owner might be able to to say, ‘as part of the deal for me buying the club can I have a chat with the EFL to get a reduction in this?’ So, it is solvable, as all things are.
“The EFL want Sheffield Wednesday to be in the Championship because they’re one of the bigger clubs. They’ve got a fantastic fanbase. They they’ve got history and heritage. They’ve got experience of the Premier League. Why make it awkward for them just just for the sake of petty bureaucracy?”
Sheffield Wednesday would be in dreamland if transfer embargoes are lifted
Right now, there is probably no fanbase in the entire EFL more disillusioned and unhappy than the Sheffield Wednesday fans.
Who can blame them? Their club is losing players, they can’t sign anyone new, and there could be more punishments coming Sheffield Wednesday’s way, including a points deduction.
But, if those new owners do come in and get the transfer bans lifted, it would be a dream come true for many Owls fans.
At this moment in time, all they want is for the club to operate like a normal football club. But, if the new owners are able to splash the cash, fans will be living the dream.
There are ambitions to make Sheffield Wednesday a top five club in England, and this sleeping giant certainly deserves to be back in the top flight, at the very least.