Reading FC have found themselves caught up in a financial controversy not of their own making, after Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri pointed to the Royals’ recent history of embargoes to excuse his own club’s latest crisis.
In a candid interview with the Sheffield Star, Chansiri attempted to justify a delay in wage payments to players and staff by citing examples of other clubs managing to achieve success despite operating under financial restrictions. The comments were made in the midst of growing unrest from Wednesday supporters, who narrowly avoided seeing their team hit with a three-window transfer ban due to the missed payday.
The payments were due on a Friday but were not processed until the following Monday—just in time to avoid breaching the 30-day threshold set by the EFL for serious sanctions. A fine could still be enforced if payments are late by more than 20 days within a calendar year.
Unwelcome comparison sparks debate
Chansiri’s remarks immediately drew a reaction, especially from fans of Reading, who have endured several difficult seasons marked by late wage payments, ownership controversies, and a series of transfer embargoes. Former majority owner Dai Yongge oversaw a turbulent era that culminated in relegation from the Championship in 2023. Since then, the club has stabilised and is now pushing for a place in the League One play-offs, currently sitting seventh in the table.
“You can see even Reading for example, they have had a problem with embargos but they could get promoted. Sometimes I do not understand the mindset that outside of buying players it is not good.
“Actually; buy, loan or free, it doesn’t matter. It matters that a player fits to your squad or not. It doesn’t mean free or loan is always cheaper than to buy, sometimes they are more expensive.”
While Chansiri’s intention may have been to deflect criticism and highlight that promotion is still achievable without lavish spending, his choice of Reading as an example struck a nerve. Royals fans are understandably keen to distance themselves from a reputation forged under previous ownership, and being held up as a cautionary tale or a model to follow by another embattled chairman has not gone down well.
Likewise, Wednesday supporters voiced frustration that their owner appeared to minimise the seriousness of the club’s financial issues by pointing to another struggling outfit, rather than acknowledging internal failings.
With tensions rising at Hillsborough and Reading’s own fanbase eager to move beyond years of hardship, the remarks have served as an unwelcome reminder of off-pitch chaos in football’s lower leagues.
Site opinion
Dejphon Chansiri’s decision to namecheck Reading FC was always likely to ruffle feathers, and it’s easy to see why both sets of supporters have reacted negatively. Reading have spent years rebuilding their reputation and infrastructure after a damaging period under Dai Yongge. Being referenced as a club that’s “managed despite embargoes” oversimplifies a painful recovery process and does little to inspire confidence among Wednesday fans either. Ultimately, it highlights the lack of transparency and responsibility that continues to plague some ownership models in English football.
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