29 September 2023 , 07:45
1039
0
Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri has attacked the club's "selfish" fans in an extraordinary statement.
Ahead of the Owls' Championship clash against Sunderland at Hillsborough this evening, the Thai businessman claims he will no longer put money into the club due to alleged abuse he claims to have received from supporters. Wednesday are languishing at the bottom of the second tier having collected just two points from eight games so far this term.
Chansiri took the reins at Hillsborough in January 2015, vowing to promote the club to the Premier League in two seasons. But successive failed playoff campaigns and financial problems saw them relegated to League One by virtue of a points deduction for breaking profitability and sustainability regulations.
Wednesday returned to the Championship in dramatic fashion last season under Darren Moore, overturning a four-goal deficit in the playoff semi-final against Peterborough before beating South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley at Wembley. But Moore left the club under a cloud in the summer, subsequently joining Huddersfield Town.
Xisco Munoz took the hotseat but has been the target of chants to leave the club from Owls fans, along with the owner. This comes amid a backdrop of sky-high ticket prices and widespread unrest among the supporter base.
Newcastle dumped out of FA Cup after upset at hands of Sheffield Wednesday
"Fans can complain, criticise, give strong opinions, balanced opinions, say anything you like," Chansiri wrote. "But no one has the right to cross the line or the right to try and cause damage, throw insults, or go to my family which has happened again, which I cannot accept. Right now, this is too much. I have always welcomed constructive debate and thought, which is fine, but to the people who have contacted me directly with insults, and to my family, I can tell you that I will never accept this.
"Some fans say I am the custodian, not the owner. Who say they were born here and will die here. I may not have been born here and I will probably not die here but one thing I can say is that I will always try and do my best for Wednesday. Even though I have been involved for less than 10 years, that does not make my love for our club any higher or lower than anyone else. To those who are trying to create trouble damaging the club, I ask, what have you done that is good for your club, why are you trying to harm it?
"If I am such a bad owner, what are you doing on your side? We all love Sheffield Wednesday and I am a supporter as well as the owner who must love and care for the club more than anyone else because of the position I am in as chairman. I must take responsibility for everything at the club, including the financial support which is something I always do.
"But from now, I will not put additional money into the club. If you say you are the owner and I am the custodian, then show me how to be the good owner and help save your club. You want me to leave but you want me to spend money? If you want me to leave, then show me how to run the club and invest the money before I do that.
"You have no right to ask me to leave. I am the one who saved the club and spent the money for the club, I am the one who needs to pay around £2m on average every month. Some fans need to have more respect for owners of clubs and not be so selfish, thinking of their own benefit without doing anything good to the club. This is not acceptable and as a result I am not willing to inject more money while I am being treated unfairly by those fans."
Overjoyed Wednesday fans spilled on to the pitch after their record-breaking comeback over Peterborough, something Chansiri has also taken aim at the supporters over. Amid planned protests at tonight's game against Sunderland, the chairman has insisted these will prove futile.
Wednesday fans chanted against the owner and manager at their most recent fixture at Swansea (Ashley Crowden/REX/Shutterstock)He added: "I think at the moment, it is too much, with some people crossing the line. For example, as a club we have made many statements about the conduct of supporters, and those who have broken the regulations could lead to us receiving fines from the FA.
"Some clubs have been fined up to £100,000 for breaking the regulations and of course this is something we do not wish to see at Sheffield Wednesday. Coming onto the pitch at the end of the game against Peterborough, throwing objects onto the pitch against Middlesbrough, these situations can cost clubs a lot of money which again is my responsibility.
"Regarding protests, I do not believe this can help our club. The people who are trying to organise these protests are not prepared to identify themselves, while they are happy to encourage other fans to show themselves, how can this help? Protests are a waste of time.
"I would like these fans to show me how much you love your club, do not damage it. I do not want to fight with anyone but to use your words - ‘enough is enough’. Please do not damage our own club, otherwise those fans need to take all responsibilities and liabilities."
Howe's gamble backfires as Newcastle blow trophy chance and expose shortcomings