31 October 2023 , 20:06
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Sheffield Wednesday's players have been paid on time and in full - less than 24 hours after owner Dejphon Chansiri told fans they must raise £2million to save their club.
On Monday, Chansiri claimed Wednesday needed its supporters to raise £2m to cover costs of player and staff wages, while helping pay off the HMRC bill which has placed the club in a EFL registration embargo. In the statement, Chansiri attacked the club's fanbase of being "negative" and admitted now is their time to make a difference as they battle issues both on and off the pitch.
Despite this, the Sheffield Star report that the Wednesday players have been paid. However, as per the EFL website, the Owls is still one of the clubs named under embargo for late payment of a HMRC bill.
Chansiri has been subject to protests from the Wednesday fans who want him to leave the club, but the Thai businessman wants the help of the supporters. The Owls secured their first win of the season on Sunday as they swept aside Rotherham 2-0 at Hillsborough.
Speaking to the Sheffield Star, Chansiri said: "With HMRC, if we don't pay until, say, the fifth of November, then that means it's been 14 days, but if we don't pay wages as well then that's five days - that means a total of 19 days. Each issue counts separately.
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"If 20,000 people gave £100 then it's £2m, and it'd be clear - so we can finish it. That would cover everything, HMRC and the wages. That would need to be done before November 10th if they don't want to pass the 30 days, but that means that there can be no next time."
"It'd need to be before to make it safe - if it was on the fifth then there would be 10 days left... if we were to hit 30 days then we'll get a ban for three windows."
Owls owner Chansiri hit out at fans in a club statement (Eleanor Hoad/REX/Shutterstock)"Why would I need to play a game? If I don't pay my staff and they get mad with me then my club is going to be worse," he added. "If the staff don't get money, they don't do their job and the club is worse off. Why would I take the risk to make problems for my people?
"That is my last choice to do. I always try to protect my people as much as I can, but if I try my best and cannot do it, then my people must understand. If they don't understand then I cannot help that. I can create trouble since Covid if I want to, I did not do it. You do not understand how important this club is to me and my family. I have been here nine years and it is a part of my life."
Michael Smith scored twice for Wednesday as they secured their first win of the season against local rivals over Rotherham on the weekend. It was a perfect performance for new boss Danny Rohl, who praised his side after the match. "It's amazing to be a part of this club in this stadium and hear all the fans," Rohl said. "It's great. The performance on the pitch was what we needed.
"We've trained hard these last ten days and now we also see the direction of how we want to play. Today gave us a clean sheet, two goals and a great performance with a high intensity against a difficult opposition because it's about winning second balls. Everybody was ready on the pitch but I also see guys that are ready off the pitch. We have a big squad and need all our players for the process and this is what I like."