Category Sports News

With wages going unpaid, the local MP saying the club is being “held hostage” by the owner and now some fans calling for boycotts, it has been a summer of turmoil for Sheffield Wednesday.

Sheffield Wednesday, who are run by owner Dejphon Chansiri, have had cashflow issues for some time.

There has been no official explanation by Chansiri on what has led to the problem but things have escalated recently.

The club has gone from delayed payments to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in 2023 and 2024 to players, coaches and staff now not being paid on time in both May and June.

They are now under three English Football League (EFL) embargoes, one relating to unpaid players, one to a further issue with HMRC and, on Thursday, a third one for failure to pay transfer fees.

They are under a registration embargo preventing them from signing anyone, even free transfers, until the outstanding wages are paid in full and can not make any transfers or loans which involve a fee for this summer’s window and the two in 2026.

No official explanation has been offered by Chansiri on what has led to the current crisis and there is no obvious solution to the problem under the current owner.

The situation at the club has been described as “shocking” and “not tolerable” by Maheta Molango, the head of the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Meanwhile, Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts has urged Chansiri to sell the club, accusing him of holding it “hostage”.

The Thai businessman, whose family controls the Thai Union Group, the world’s largest producer of canned tuna, bought Sheffield Wednesday for a reported £37.5m in 2015 from former chairman Milan Mandaric.

The Owls, who have not played in the Premier League since 2000, reached the Championship play-offs in each of his first two seasons in charge but in recent years the 57-year-old has frequently clashed with supporters during a series of lengthy fans’ forums and public statements.

In 2023 he told supporters “you have no right to ask me to leave” amid calls to sell. In an interview with the Sheffield Star in the same year, he asked fans to raise £2m to help the club pay an outstanding debt to HMRC and cover wages, before resolving the issue shortly after.

Owls players were not paid on time for March, before the issue was resolved a few days later. Since then, the same thing has happened for May and June.

Some players still haven’t been paid for May. It is believed some players have now handed in their notice, as is permitted when a player receives delayed wages in two consecutive months.

Coaches have also been affected and are now out of contract, meaning a skeleton staff is left to try to piece together a pre-season.

Highly-rated manager Danny Rohl is set to leave the club, with talks ongoing over his departure.

Non-playing staff have also suffered late payment of wages. Last month an emergency fund helped some employees.

We believe some staff have been paid £700 of their June salaries. There is no current clarity on when salaries will be paid in full.

Chansiri has not publicly revealed what kind of offer he would be willing to accept for the club.

He did reveal in a statement that he had rejected an offer of £40m plus “limited future Premier League promotion payments” from a consortium.

The owner has spent a considerable amount during his 10-and-a-half years at Hillsborough and appears determined to ask for a bid that is well beyond what many consider to be market value.

Unless his price demand comes down, it’s hard to imagine anyone buying the club.

Mandaric briefly suggested he would be interested in a return but subsequently decided against getting involved, while John Flanagan, a member of a US-based consortium, told BBC Radio Sheffield that they had had two offers for the club rejected with no counter-offer.

At the moment, it seems like a bidder would have to be prepared to overpay or come up with a package that would interest Chansiri.

An individual who is part of a bidding consortium has described negotiations with the Thai as “the most unique” he had experienced in his business career.

Due to work on the training ground being incomplete, players are currently working away from the club and doing what they can to prepare for the new season.

Some players have been training at Sheffield Hallam University’s athletics stadium at Woodbourn Road, which is based next to a facility where many fans have probably played five-a-side.

It’s a shambolic situation and a far cry from the numerous clubs going through warm-weather camps or working at their own facilities.

As noted, some of the players have handed their notice in due to delayed payment of wages or simply signalled their intention to leave.

It’s unclear at this stage what kind of squad Wednesday will have to start the season, especially given their current embargoes.

Rohl, who led the side to a 12th-placed finish last season, is set to depart although, contrary to reports connecting him to other jobs, it’s believed his exit is not specifically tied to another club.

The talented German boss hinted strongly at the end of last season that he saw his future away from Hillsborough and is understandably keen to draw a line and move on, as, seemingly, some of the players are.

Many are distraught and desperate for an end to Chansiri’s reign.

A plea from the Supporters’ Trust for fans to boycott merchandise and retail was seemingly well backed online this week and many insist they will not return to Hillsborough until a new owner is in place.

We have seen a lot of support for the players, with fans also telling staff they would be backed if they decided to walk out over the wage issue.

Wednesday fans are not typically protestors but the action at the end of last season was the most significant seen at Hillsborough.

When the club plays its next game — although no pre-season fixtures are currently arranged — there are likely to be protests.

We are also waiting for the outcome of a recent Safety Advisory Group meeting where the safety of Hillsborough’s North Stand was discussed, amid rumours that it could be closed.

Some fans have already purchased season tickets in the stand. No clarity was provided on the matter by the club when contacted by BBC Radio Sheffield.

“Enough is enough” is the call on social media and for Sheffield Wednesday fans, they have reached the end of their tether. It’s fair to say Owls supporters want a new owner and fast.

Marcus Rashford intends to start pre-season training at Manchester United on Monday.

Ruben Amorim, a manager for England, exiled the 27-year-old in December, and he went on loan at Aston Villa for the remainder of the season.

Rashford is valued at £40 million by United, who has not yet received any offers.

Amorim claimed in February that he could not “get Marcus to play football the way you’re supposed to and to train the way I see it.”

On Monday, Rashford’s pre-season training with United will begin, and sources close to him have said he would be okay going back.

Before heading to the US for the Premier League Summer Series friendlies, the club will play Leeds in its first pre-season friendly on July 19 in Stockholm.

Rashford has scored 138 goals in 426 senior games for United over the course of his 20 years there.

Following the passing of Reds forward Diogo Jota, Liverpool have delayed some players’ return to pre-season training on Friday.

As part of a phased return, those who were scheduled to return from their summer break on Friday for a preliminary round of physical exams at the club’s training ground will now do so on Monday.

On Sunday, July 13, Liverpool’s squad plays Preston North End for their first pre-season game.

Jota, 28, and his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva tragically perished in a car accident.

Both men passed away on Thursday at around 00:30 local time, according to The Guardia Civil.

Jota was taking a car and ferry from Liverpool to Liverpool as doctors had advised him against flying because he had undergone minor surgery.

France’s inclusion of Wendie Renard in their Euro 2025 squad shocked Lucy Bronze, who believes they could be “weakened” without her.

In their first of three group games, the Lionesses take on France in Zurich on Saturday (20:00 BST) for the first of three matches.

Between 2017 and 2020, Chelsea defender Bronze, along with Renard, the team’s captain, won three consecutive women’s Champions League titles.

However, France manager Laurent Bonadei explained why he chose to use “a different selection” and that it was “not made in the spur of the moment” when describing his reasons for rejecting 34-year-old Renard, who has made 168 international appearances and had been captain.

“Wendie and I have a good relationship. She represents the epitome of what I would characterize as a captain figure, according to Bronze.

There was nothing you could fault about Lyon when I was there. She will be devastated if she doesn’t participate in the Euros, I assure you.

The manager made a different decision. Sometimes that’s how football plays. It shocks me greatly.

In England’s opening tournament match, former Lyon team-mate Selma Bacha and Chelsea’s Sandy Baltimore will face off.

The two countries have a close relationship, having first met in Euro 2025 qualifying and winning with a 2-1 victory away from home.

England are looking to win back-to-back games against France for the first time since 1974 despite having won three of their previous six games.

France’s group stage success was capped by Germany in 2009, but they have a strong record. They have won each of their previous five Euros competitions.

Sarina Wiegman, the manager of Lionesses, has won all 12 of her Euros and helped the Netherlands and England to glory in 2017 and 2022.

Both of these countries want to compete in Switzerland, and the group stage fight is regarded as the biggest heavyweight fight ever.

Because we compete so frequently, the teams have a lot of respect,” said Bronze.

France and I don’t necessarily dislike England; rather, they respect us a lot and believe we have a very talented team.

We can immediately pit ourselves against the talented teams. Through the entire tournament, there are no surprises. We are aware of the requirements for you.

Pierre Schoeman, a naturalized raconteur in adulthood who speaks of his 13-year-old self’s adventurous spirit, tells a tale from his youth in South Africa.

He went cage diving to get a better view of great white sharks because he was young and had an interest in them.

He said, “I saw this shark going past me as I climbed down the ladder of the boat, and I had to be strong to stop wet myself.”

“It was obvious that I had made a bad step on the ladder.” If that had happened, I would have had my love handles significantly reduced.

He has been talking extensively about Vikings, gladiators, and the loosehead community while traveling around Australia. You’re just not sure what will happen next when the big man starts against the Waratahs on Saturday.

He once discussed WP Nel, a former team-mate of Edinburgh and Scotland, as his great friend and mentor. The Nels recently added a powerful clan to their already formidable clan.

Tell your wife to never pass the home of WP, Schoeman grinned. She might become pregnant if the wind changes direction.

He claims that when that joke became famous, Nel sought revenge. In the following Edinburgh scrummaging session, the master caused the apprentice to suffer.

Schoeman is just as passionate about rucks and scrums as he is about love and God. On every level, he is an open book.

His teacher asked the class to discuss the one goal they had for life when he was in school. Some claimed fame and money. “I hope to meet my future wife,” said Schueman.

He didn’t care that his pals made fun of him. He had already met her, in fact. She is known by her name, Charissa, and lives there from beginning to end.

It was just the two of them when he made the transition from South Africa to Scotland.

He said, “We left and we packed up two suitcases.” He initially stayed in Edinburgh for five years before changing his mind to three. Even if it had been ten, he would have arrived.

Since we were eight years old, my wife and I have been dating. I knew that would one day be my dream wife because we shared seats in the same primary school next to each other. When we were 17 years old, we revived.

She had to leave her mother, her entire family behind when we traveled to Edinburgh. Everyone, grandma. Although it requires a great sacrifice, there is also a reward, which is the present reward.

You know, it’s almost like Vikings burn a ship, I’m sure of it. A Viking ship carrying her and her packed, headed for Scotland’s shores, where they were led by the British and Irish Lions, and where they had envisioned the dream that had come true.

This guy has layers. One of the three Lions looseheads, along with Ellis Genge and Andrew Porter, is Schoeman, who has opinions on what makes a loosehead prop.

He continued, “I think looseheads are quite weird people around the world,” once more with a straight face. “Something isn’t right,” the saying goes. His screw must be loose, but playing rugby as a loosehead prop always comes to mind.

Is there a difference between a loosehead and a tighthead in terms of beasts?

He responded, “We’re similar but different.” All the gladiators come together, making it almost feel like a movie.

And what part does John Fogarty, the Lions’ scrum coach, play in all of this?

“He has the key to the gladiator’s cage,” he said. Physically, mentally, spiritually, or wherever else do loseheads enjoy going to in the dark. However, some tightheads can turn even darker.

We are essentially a prop group that no one else on the team is allowed to join.

No hookers at all.

No, hookers are not included. It’s just props, really. It’s a prop group rather than a front row group.

What might the names of a group of Lions props be on a postcard? a motorcycle scout? The Scoo Fighters, huh?

Schoeman made a sharp riff on Lions history, Ian “Mighty Mouse” McLauchlan’s legacy, and Tom Smith’s fallen Scottish Lions, who had a significant impact on the Test jersey he is currently pursuing.

He said, “That’s what the jersey demands of us.” That is the legacy of it. Tom and Tom both had seats at Murrayfield, and I both had them in the same seat. I’ve had a lot of praise and blessing.

He’s talking about his affinity with the 2025 props again in the here and now.

He said, “We are like bison migrating together.” Every night, Finlay Bealham started the secret meeting, and now everyone has bought in. After each training session, we form a group and have tea together. We also meet and ask probing questions of each other’s families.

Aren’t the good Australians scared of a herd of human bovine roaming the streets?

“Props also have a soft side,” he said. There are a lot of soft topics being discussed.

Has Porter discussed the tragic passing of his mother to cancer at a young age? Has Genge mentioned how rugby may have saved him from prison and how he experienced growing up in Bristol’s tough environment? You have a suspicion.

“I am well-versed in Gengey.” I have asked him to call my family as well because I am aware of all of his business contacts, family, and everything,” he said.

Rivals who are now friends even when competing for Test match spots. The essence of what makes these tours so fantastic and unforgettable is in it. Schoeman’s bearded face and every utterance reflect the joy of the experience.

New South Wales Waratahs v British and Irish Lions

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney Date: Saturday, 5 July Kick-off: 11:00 BST

Pierre Schoeman tells a story from his youth in South Africa, a natural-born raconteur in adulthood speaking of the adventurous spirit of his 13-year-old self.

He had an interest in great white sharks as a kid, so he went cage diving to get a better look.

“I climbed down the ladder of the boat and I saw this shark going past and he was looking at me and I had to be strong not to wet myself,” he said.

“You could see that one bad step on the ladder and I was in trouble. I would have had a big chunk taken out of my love handles – maybe I could have been a centre if that had happened. “

On this trek around Australia he’s been giving it large about Vikings and gladiators and the fellowship of loosehead props. You just don’t know what’s coming next with the big man, in from the start against the Waratahs on Saturday.

One time, he talked about his great friend and mentor, WP Nel, then a team-mate with Edinburgh and Scotland. The Nels had recently added another baby to their already mighty clan.

“Tell your wife never to walk past WP’s house,” Schoeman smiled. “If the wind changes direction she might end up pregnant. “

He says that Nel had his revenge when that joke went public. Master made apprentice suffer in the next Edinburgh scrummaging session.

Schoeman is as likely to speak about God and love as he is about rucks and scrums. He’s an open book on all counts.

When he was in school, his teacher asked the class to talk about the one thing they hoped for in life. Some said money and fame. Schoeman said: “I hope to meet my future wife. “

His pals made fun of him, but he didn’t care. In fact, he had already met her. Charissa is her name and she’s here in Australia, every step of the way.

When he made the move from South Africa to Scotland, it was just the two of them.

“We packed up two suitcases and left,” he said. The residency rule was five years when he committed to Edinburgh, later returning to three. He’d have come over even if it had been 10.

“Me and my wife have known each other since we were eight years old. We sat in the same primary school class next to each other and I knew that’s going to be my dream wife one day. We rekindled when we were 17.

“When we left for Edinburgh she had to leave a sister, a mother, her whole family behind. Grandmother, everyone. It’s a massive sacrifice, but it’s also come with a reward and this is the reward now.

“It’s almost like Vikings burning a ship, you know. Me and her packed a Viking ship, left for the shores of Scotland, for the British and Irish Lions, for the dream which became a reality. “

There are layers to this guy. Schoeman is one of three Lions looseheads, along with Ellis Genge and Andrew Porter, and he has views on what makes a loosehead prop.

“I think looseheads around the globe are quite weird people,” he said, again with a straight face. “Something isn’t right. We always say, his screw must be loose, but playing rugby as a loosehead prop. “

As beasts, is there a difference between a loosehead and a tighthead?

“We’re different, but similar,” he replied. “You almost feel like a gladiator movie, all the gladiators come together. “

And the role of Lions scrum coach John Fogarty in all of this?

“He has the key for the cage, to unlock the gladiator. Looseheads like going to dark places, physically, mentally, spiritually, whatever. But tightheads can go even darker at some times.

“We actually have just a prop group that none of the other team members is allowed on. “

Not even hookers?

“No, not even hookers. It’s just props. It’s not a front row group, it’s a prop group. “

Answers on a postcard what a group of Lions props might be called? Motley Scooo? The Scooo Fighters?

Schoeman riffed on Lions history, the legacy of Ian ‘Mighty Mouse’ McLauchlan, the greatness of Tom Smith – fallen Scottish Lions who added so much to the Test jersey he is now pursuing.

“That’s what the jersey demands of us,” he said. “That’s the legacy of it. I have sat on the same seat as Tom did at Murrayfield. I’ve been honoured and blessed. “

Back in the here and now he’s talking about his bond with the 2025 props.

“We are like bison, migrating together,” he said. We have a secret meeting every night, Finlay Bealham started it and now all the props have bought in. We stick together and have a tea after every training session and we get to meet each other’s families and ask deep questions. “

Are the good people of Australia not scared by a herd of human bovine roaming the streets?

“Props have a soft side as well. We’re discussing lots of soft things. “

Has Porter spoken about the tragedy of losing his mum to cancer at a painfully young age? Has Genge spoken about growing up in the tough terrain of Knowle West in Bristol and how he thinks rugby may have saved him from prison? You suspect so.

“I know a lot of things about Gengey. I know all his business friends, family, everything, I have asked him to phone my family as well,” he said.

Rivals, but now friends, even in the heat of battle for Test match places. It’s the essence of what makes these tours so great, so unforgettable. The joy of the experience is writ large over Schoeman’s bearded face and in his every utterance.