Pressure is mounting on the English Football League to intervene in the proposed takeover of Sheffield Wednesday amid concerns that former owner Dejphon Chansiri could still profit despite the club’s financial collapse
EFL Urged to Block Dejphon Chansiri Profit as Sheffield Wednesday Takeover Nears Crucial Stage
Pressure is mounting on the English Football League to intervene in the proposed takeover of Sheffield Wednesday amid concerns that former owner Dejphon Chansiri could still profit despite the club’s financial collapse.
The Owls are bracing for yet another difficult chapter, with a looming 15-point deduction set to be applied at the start of the 2026–27 League One season under new ownership. The penalty stems from the club’s ongoing administration issues and failure to meet the league’s strict creditor repayment rules.
A takeover led by David Storch under the Arise Capital Partners banner is progressing, with a soft deadline of May 1 targeted to complete the deal before Wednesday’s final fixture of a disastrous 2025–26 campaign. That match, set to take place at Hillsborough Stadium against West Bromwich Albion, is expected to draw a full house despite the club’s turmoil.
For supporters, the takeover represents a desperately needed reset. Since being placed into administration by Chansiri in October, Wednesday have endured one of the bleakest periods in their history, culminating in relegation and ongoing uncertainty off the pitch.
However, complications remain. Storch’s reported £20 million bid falls short of the EFL’s requirement to repay creditors at a rate of “25p in the pound,” a threshold designed to ensure fairness in insolvency situations. As a result, the club faces further punishment — a continuation of sanctions that have already severely impacted their competitiveness.
At the heart of the controversy is Chansiri himself. Despite no longer running the club, he remains its largest creditor and was in line to receive around £15 million if the takeover met the EFL’s repayment criteria. This has sparked criticism from observers who argue it would be inappropriate for a former owner linked to the club’s financial distress to benefit from its rescue.
Reports suggest Chansiri is now open to negotiations that would see his debt purchased as part of the takeover structure, potentially allowing Storch’s consortium to move forward while satisfying league regulations. Other creditors would then be settled in accordance with EFL rules.
The situation has drawn wider attention, including from a former Premier League chief executive, who has urged the EFL to ensure that its regulations are enforced in a way that prioritises the long-term health of the club rather than enabling financial gain for previous ownership.
With the deadline approaching and the club’s future hanging in the balance, the EFL faces a critical decision: uphold strict financial governance or risk backlash by allowing a controversial financial outcome. For Sheffield Wednesday and their supporters, the hope remains that any resolution will finally mark the beginning of a genuine rebuild after years of instability.
