Sheffield Wednesday are expected to be served with a winding-up petition 'imminently' over an unpaid tax bill of approximately £1 million owed to HM Revenue and Customs, according to BBC Radio Sheffield. The development places additional pressure on owner Dejphon Chansiri to sell the Championship club.
The Owls are already subject to six separate transfer embargoes imposed by the English Football League after repeatedly failing to pay wages on time. If the winding-up petition is issued and Chansiri is unable to settle the debt, the club could be forced into administration, which would trigger a points deduction but might compel the sole director to pursue a sale.
Revenue is reportedly insufficient to cover outgoings, despite a summer of cost-cutting. Fan protests have intensified, with supporters boycotting home cup ties and invading the pitch during a league match against Coventry City to demonstrate against the Thai businessman's ownership.
Chansiri has indicated a willingness to sell, but no agreement has been reached with potential buyers. Former Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor has expressed interest, describing the situation as 'really complicated' and noting that the owner has been 'very open to new ideas'. Textor said: 'There is a lot to figure out with the owner. There is a lot to figure out with the league itself. And there is not a lot of time to figure it out.'
Textor acknowledged that he is one of several groups in discussions, but stressed that the extent of his involvement has been overstated. He added: 'It's not as though I wouldn't love to come in tomorrow, but they're in a very difficult situation.'
