Archive March 31, 2025

Sheff Wed players not paid due to Chansiri cashflow issues

By in News, Sports News
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Rob Staton
BBC Radio Sheffield reporter
@robstaton

Sheffield Wednesday have failed to pay their players ‘ wages for March due to cashflow problems suffered by owner Dejphon Chansiri.

The club said it was a “temporary issue” due to debts owed to the 56-year-old Thai businessman, whose family control the Thai Union Group, the world’s largest producer of canned tuna.

Wednesday are 12th in the Championship – five points outside the play-off places – and face Hull City at home on Saturday.

” Sheffield Wednesday can confirm a temporary issue with the payment of player salaries for the month of March”, said a club statement.

“This has occurred as a result of significant sums of money owed to the chairman’s businesses which has in turn impacted on the club’s immediate cashflow.

” The chairman is working hard to resolve this situation at the earliest possible opportunity and in the meantime thanks everyone for their patience and understanding. “

Chansiri headed up a Thai consortium which bought Wednesday from Milan Mandaric in January 2015, but his time in charge of the club has seen a number of financial challenges.

In July 2019, Wednesday sold their Hillsborough stadium to Chansiri for about £60m in ensure they did not breach spending rules.

Then in October 2023, Chansiri asked fans to raise £2m to help the club pay an outstanding debt to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and cover wages.

Last November, the Owls were placed under a registration embargo by the EFL over amounts owed to HMRC.

Patience has run out – analysis

A growing number of fans are angry and demanding answers after it emerged that, not for the first time during Chansiri’s reign as Sheffield Wednesday owner, the Owls players have not been paid on time.

Many are asking why the club sells season tickets in an early-bird window before Christmas yet by March, there isn’t enough money to even pay wages?

A statement claims it’s down to” significant sums of money “being owed to Chansiri’s other businesses”, impacting immediate cashflow”.

However, you get the sense patience for a lot of people has run out.

The club was placed under a second registration embargo in 12 months by the EFL last November over amounts owed to HM Revenue and Customs. Now this.

How financially sustainable is this club? What exactly is the future of Sheffield Wednesday? These are questions that need to be answered with more than just a statement. Fans are worried and some will feel embarrassed. They deserve answers.

This latest admittance will lead to growing calls for Chansiri to sell the club.

The Owls might be five points off the play-offs but they lack the solid base that typically accompanies teams challenging for the top flight. Fans dream of a Premier League return after 25 years but it’s not realistic in this environment. The club is a long way off in terms of infrastructure and finances.

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Jon Richardson quits comedy after divorce and announces huge career change

By in Entertainment News, News

Jon Richardson has revealed that taking a break from comedy made him realise he didn’t want to return to it – and has now taken up a new role away from TV stardom

Jon Richardson has stunned fans with the news that he’s quitting comedy to take up a completely different career. The star has been a mainstay on the stand-up and TV circuits for years, but is now choosing a far more normal life.

Celebrity Gogglebox star Jon, 42, shared the update on Instagram today, filming himself wrapped up warm as he took a walk and spoke to the camera. Jon shared: “I just thought I’d give you a little update. I don’t really do social media updates, and I’ll tell you why – because I don’t think anyone cares. But I have a little bit of news. I’ve obviously been taking a little bit of a break from stand-up and it’s really made me… want to carry on taking a break from stand-up.”

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Jon Richardson
Jon shared that when he was younger he juggled between being a comedian or a teacher – and is now ditching stand-up to ‘try the other option’(Image: UKTV/Youtube)

He added: “I’ve been thinking a lot about a diary entry that I found from 1997.” An excerpt of his old diary then popped on screen, as the BBC Radio 6 star explained: “It’s this one. I was 14 years old, it says although I would love to be a stand-up comedian, I’ll probably end up being a teacher. And I’ve been thinking a lot about that.”

In a bombshell moment, Jon revealed: “I’ve loved being a comedian, it was absolutely the right choice. But I’ve decided it would’ve been nice to try the other option, so that’s exactly what I’m gonna do”.

He then surprisingly shared that he’d already accepted a teaching job, stating: “I’ve been doing some training, I’ve taken a teaching position. I will update you as and when I can. but that’s all from me for now, just to let you know where I’ve been. I’ll keep you posted”.

This isn’t the only major change in John’s life, after he announced his divorce from wife Lucy Beaumont last April. John and Lucy tied the knot in April 2015, and share eight-year-old daughter Elsie.

Jon Richardson
Jon referred back to a diary entry from 1997 about teaching, and explained that he’d accepted a teaching position after training during his time away(Image: jonrichardsoncomedian/Instagram)

The news came as a shock to fans, as the duo had become a massive power couple after starring in their own show, Meet The Richardsons, which came out in 2020.

At the time of their break-up, a joint statement read: “We have jointly and amicably made the difficult decision to divorce and go our separate ways.

” As our only priority is managing this difficult transition for our daughter, we would ask that our privacy is respected at this sensitive time to protect her well-being. We will be making no further comment. Jon Richardson and Lucy Beaumont. “

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The duo appears to have settled their divorce, after Jon gave Lucy a £1.625 million payout for her shares in a company in which they were both listed as directors – the couple had built a huge fortune of £6 million together before their romantic and business partnership came to an end.

Completion Of Trans-Kalabari Road’ll Boost Rivers Economy, Says Ibas

By in News, Nigeria News

The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), says the Trans-Kalabari Road Project serves as one strategic effort at addressing the associated socioeconomic difficulties experienced by residents in the riverine communities.

Ibas remarked when he embarked on an inspection tour to the site of the ongoing Trans-Kalabari Road Project in Rumuolumeni Community and the Permanent Secretaries ‘ Quarters in Rumuokwurushi Community, all in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Monday.

The administrator said the projects must be completed because it will contribute immensely to boosting the socio-economic status of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.

He said, “We are also very much aware of the very difficult, challenging terrain around here, in terms of communication, and communicating between communities. This project, when completed, I think, will boost the socio-economic life of the state and the nation as a whole.

READ ALSO: Okpebholo Visits Yusuf, Vows Justice For Uromi Victims ‘ Families

” We are hoping and imploring the contractors to make sure they keep to the timelines. I think the state government has been able to meet its obligation in terms of making available resources for them. So we are counting on them to keep to the completion time. “

At the Civil Servants Quarters designated for Permanent Secretaries, the ex-naval chief pointed to some challenges experienced by civil servants who need comfortable housing facilities to enable them to perform better at the workplace.

Ibas said”, I have civil servants who have challenges with their accommodation. We have been out there to see how far the project is going and I think I was also assured that the accommodation will be delivered on time so that those who require them will be able to settle down to do their work. “

I’ve told Fernandes he is going nowhere – Amorim

By in News, Sports News
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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
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Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says he has told Bruno Fernandes he will not allow him to leave this summer.

Club captain Fernandes – who signed a contract extension until 2027 last August – has been United’s star player this season.

Over the weekend reports emerged linking the 30-year-old with a move to Real Madrid.

“No, it’s not going to happen”, said Amorim, when asked about the rumours in his news conference before Tuesday’s Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest.

When asked how he could be so certain, the former Sporting coach added: “He’s not going anywhere because I’ve already told him”.

There was the familiar spark in Amorim’s eyes as he delivered the message, suggesting he was having a bit of fun.

Fernandes has scored 16 times in all competitions this season while no other United player has reached double figures.

In the final week before the most recent international break, Fernandes scored five goals, including a hat-trick in the Europa League last-16 victory over Real Sociedad.

Only Mohammed Salah (54) and Erling Haaland (33) have more than Fernandes ‘ combination of 31 goals and assists in the Premier League this term.

‘ This is the kind of player we want ‘

Amorim and predecessor Erik ten Hag, have repeatedly backed Fernandes, despite external criticism from former United captain Roy Keane in particular.

“I want Bruno here because maybe in the lowest moments of our season he…”, said Amorim, before tailing off and switching his answer to strike a more positive note.

“We want to win the Premier League again so we want the best players to continue with us. He’s 30 but he’s still so young because he plays 55 games every season and between assists and goals he’s there for 30 at least.

” We are in control of the situation, “said Amorim”. But I feel he is really happy here because he understands what we want to do.

“He is also a supporter of Manchester United so he really feels it.

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Gene Hackman judge blocks public access to police footage of late actor’s body after tragic death

By in Entertainment News, News

A New Mexico judge has restricted public access to police footage of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa following their deaths in February. The Hollywood legend was found dead at his New Mexico estate alongside his wife under mysterious circumstances on February 27.

Santa Fe police officials found the Oscar-winning actor, 95, dead in a wet room with one of his dogs laid next to him, while Gene’s wife Betsy was discovered dead in the couple’s bathroom, near a space heater with prescription tablets scattered on the floor. Earlier this month, a medical examiner revealed that Betsy, 65, had died from hanatavirus – a disease that can be transmitted by rats. They added that Gene’s cause of death was “hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease” with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor.

Gene Hackman with his wife Betsy ((Image: Getty))

Today, lawyers for Gene Hackman’s estate argued in a Sante Fe court that photographs and videos of the actor and his wife’s bodies should not be released to the public, according to Deadline. They argued that the estate has a right “to protect Gene and Betsy’s property, including photographs and videos of their dead bodies”.

“Gene and Betsy Hackman’s names, likenesses and images are valuable and need to be protected and is clearly proven out by virtue of the press wanting to get his hands on the documents to exploit them for their own personal profit and gain”, Kurt Sommer, an attorney for Gene’s estate said.

He added that the couple “took great pains” to live a private life, saying that they lived in a private gated community and “died a very tragic death”.

Meanwhile Walker Body, who was arguing for the release of the documents to the media, said that it was not common for a judge to stop “state entities from doing their statutory required jobs” and that New Mexico’s privacy laws do not give a person the same privileges in death as it does in their life.

At the end of the hearing, Judge Matthew Wilson blocked public records from being released that showed the bodies of Gene and Betsy. However, he did allow for autopsy and investigative reports that do not show the couple’s bodies to be released.

Earlier this week, Gene and Betsy’s names were quietly scrubbed from New Mexico’s Office of the Medical Investigator list of “unclaimed decedents” amid rumours of a bitter family division. It came after speculation that the couple’s family had yet to claim the bodies.

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White House dismisses investigation calls, says ‘case closed’ on Signalgate

By in News, World News

The White House has said that it is moving on from recent controversy over the mistaken sharing of war plans on commercial messaging app Signal, declaring that the “case has been closed”.

Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said on Monday that steps had been taken to ensure that the same scenario – which made Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, privy to a group chat on planned US strikes on Yemen’s Houthis – was not repeated in the future. But she did not elaborate on the measures.

Leavitt said the US was “moving forward”, her statement appearing to end speculation that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who invited the journalist to the chat, and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, who shared the sensitive information, would be punished.

Democratic lawmaker Madeleine Dean accused Republicans of showing a “weakness of thought” by deflecting away from the “blunders” of the so-called Signalgate controversy.

“The Trump Administration’s mishandling of sensitive military plans was a staggering failure”, she wrote in a social media post. “Republicans have devolved into ‘ what-about-ism. ‘ It’s time for accountability. It’s time for answers”.

‘ Real pain to come ‘

As the White House attempted to close the embarrassing chapter, US President Donald Trump renewed his threats to the Houthis, targeted over attacks against Israel and Red Sea shipping lanes conducted in support of Gaza, promising to hit them “harder and harder”.

Houthi leaders have denied US claims that their capabilities have been degraded by attacks, saying that the strikes have only managed to kill civilians and administrative officials.

“The choice for the Houthis is clear: Stop shooting at US ships, and we will stop shooting at you”, said Trump in a social media post. “Otherwise, we have only just begun, and the real pain is yet to come, for both the Houthis and their sponsors in Iran”.

Iran, for its part, responded to Trump’s previous message that it&nbsp, will face heavy US bombardment&nbsp, if it fails to reach a nuclear weapons deal.

“They threaten to attack us, which we don’t think is very probable, but if they commit any mischief, they will surely receive a strong reciprocal blow”, said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of the US and its ally, Israel.

On Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it had summoned a Swiss diplomat “acting as protector of US interests” to pass on a “warning note” to the US, emphasising its “firm and immediate resolve” to respond to “hostile acts”.

‘ No specific progress ‘

Trump intends to visit Saudi Arabia in mid-May to discuss a range of topics, including Russia’s three-year-old war in Ukraine, the war in Gaza and investments, according to sources cited by the Reuters news agency and Axios.

Saudi Arabia recently hosted US-mediated talks with Russia and Ukraine aimed at ending the war, but prospects of a ceasefire appeared to dim after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, lacked the legitimacy to sign a peace deal, prompting Trump to declare in an interview with NBC that he was “very angry, p***** off” with the Russian leader.

Trump added that if he were unable to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine and determined Russia was to blame, he would impose a 25 percent secondary tariff on all Russian oil.

Addressing the state of US-Russian relations on Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated in comments carried by Russia’s Interfax news agency that Moscow was “working on implementing certain ideas related to Ukrainian conflict resolution”, though there was “no specific progress” to report yet.

Peskov also said Putin is still open to speaking with Trump and that a conversation could be “arranged as needed”, according to TASS news agency.