Members of Congress urge Sheffield owner Chansiri to sell on Wednesday
Chloe Aslett

BBC News, Yorkshire

PA Media

Dejphon Chansiri's financial management of Sheffield was criticized on Wednesday

Members of MPs on Wednesday called on Sheffield owners to sell after the club was accused by the British Football League of England to meet their payment obligations.

Clive Betts, a labor MP in southeast Sheffield, urged potential buyers to run for the championship team and accused current owner Dejphon Chansiri of taking the team "hostage".

Lifetime Owls fan Bates said: “He has to accept that he needs to sell on Wednesday to prevent the club’s total collapse…we deserve better as fans.”

The club said it aims to pay employees and players wages at the "earliest opportunity" price, adding that Mr Chansiri "has sincerely apologized" to those affected.

This is the second time the club has failed to pay their wages on time.

In addition to the charges filed against the club, Mr Chansiri was also accused of “the club violated the EFL regulations despite the commitment to fund their cash requests”.

Photo of Clive Betts, the official Parliament portrait of the British Parliament. He has short gray hair and is wearing a black blazer, a white shirt and a purple tie.British Parliament

MP Clive Betts says the club has been "kidnapped" by its owners

Bates described the behavior of Thai businessmen as "shocking".

"I feel sad to see a club where I have been kidnapped by a master all my life, and it obviously has no interest or concern for us," he said.

“It is obvious that Chanciley does not have the capacity or resources to provide funding and investment in Sheffield on Wednesday.”

Members of Congress support the proposed Football Governance Act, which will form an independent regulator responsible for licensing clubs in the first five departments and ensure their “custodians are appropriate.”

Analysis: Rob Staton, Senior Sports Reporter of BBC Radio Sheffield

Understandably, the pressure is getting more and more on selling Dejphon Chansiri in Sheffield on Wednesday.

He raised many concerns during his time in Hillsborough, but his inability to pay wages for a second time in three months, especially non-football staff, has led to allegations and serious concerns from the EFL and has caused serious concerns in the club's short, medium and long-term future.

There are reports of Owl owners reaching out to business partners to raise funds, and reports that rising academy star Caelan-Kole Cadamateri will be sold, presumably to help Mr Chansiri’s major cash flow issues.

A U.S.-based consortium told BBC Sheffield this week that they had two bids to buy the club were denied.

Last season ended with unprecedented fan protests, and the trust of SWFC supporters was to hold a fan forum on June 11 to execute their message “enough.”

We don't yet know what the EFL charges mean on Wednesday's overall charges of Dejphon Chansiri and Sheffield - they have a 14-day response - but for the moment, this is Mr Chansiri's football club, which is only in his hands, no matter who or how many people want him to sell him.

First, however, the club staff need a May salary, as Mr Chansiri's apology will not pay the bill.

Sheffield responded to the allegations Wednesday, saying Wednesday: “The club continues to seek resolutions on outstanding paychecks due in May to the earliest opportunity.

“Mr Chansiri sincerely apologizes to all affected players, coaches and staff and everyone who has contact with the club.”

Mr Chansiri has been in charge of Hillsborough for 10 years, and his tenure is full of financial problems.

Wednesday was under registered embargo for both 2023-24 and 24-25 seasons and deducted 6 points in 20-21, the season they were relegated from the second tier to violate spending rules.

They finished 12th in the last season's championship game last season, after winning the first league promotion.