Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri has confirmed that the outstanding HMRC bill has been paid, along with players and staff wages.
It has been reported earlier this week that Chansiri asked for 20,000 Owls fans to donate £100 each in order to pay the £2 million HMRC bill.
It had also been reported earlier on Wednesday that players wages had been paid. Chansiri is now said to have headed back to his home nation of Thailand due to the backlash from the news earlier this week.
Chansiri says bills have been paid
In a statement put out on the club’s website on Wednesday afternoon, Chansiri confirms the bills had been paid, and addressed fan concerns over the donations.
“I can confirm that all our players and staff have been paid their salaries in full. I can also confirm that the outstanding HMRC amount has been satisfied and the EFL embargo will be lifted.
“When I was asked what would happen if money owed to me was not paid in time, I said if 20,000 fans paid £100 each it would resolve the issue. I was making the situation totally clear if I did not have the available funds but ultimately it did not come to that.
“In business, what happens today can be very different tomorrow and right now this is finished. As I said in the interview, there are no ‘games’ here, this was a serious situation. I understand that some things are hard to hear, and believe me, some things are hard to say. The bottom line is that Sheffield Wednesday means everything to me and I will always try my best and do my best for our club, today and tomorrow.”
Some good news for Wednesday
Whilst the news will come as good news for Owls fans, it distracts from the real issues of Chansiri.
This should not have become a bigger deal as it has. As the owner of the club, he should have the funds to be able to pay the bills.
Hopefully all of Wednesday’s issues will be resolved sooner rather than later.