John Textor shows interest in purchasing troubled Sheffield Wednesday
- John Textor, former co-owner of Crystal Palace, is interested in buying Sheffield Wednesday.
- The club is currently under financial strain, facing embargoes and late wage payments.
- Textor's involvement could aid the struggling club, but no formal discussions have occurred yet.
In recent reports, John Textor, an American businessman and former co-owner of Crystal Palace, revealed his interest in acquiring Sheffield Wednesday, a traditional English football club currently facing significant turmoil. After selling his 43 percent stake in Crystal Palace in July 2023, Textor, who also holds majority shares in Lyon, RWDM Brussels, and Botafogo, is actively looking for a club with strong heritage. Despite his expressed interest, Textor has not yet initiated discussions with current owner Dejphon Chansiri and is monitoring the situation closely. Textor indicated a desire to support clubs like Sheffield Wednesday, which he views as struggling under financial constraints. Sheffield Wednesday has been in a precarious state, currently under three EFL (English Football League) embargoes due to various financial irregularities. The club has faced delayed wage payments, resulting in players leaving for free due to contract breaches. Recently, concerns arose about the team's ability to participate in their championship opener against Leicester City, exacerbating tension among supporters and stakeholders. Amid these challenges, the Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust has mobilized fans to protest against the ownership, suggesting the instability around the club is reaching critical levels. With reports of Chansiri facing increasing pressure to sell, he has previously rejected bids from other consortiums, and the situation remains uncertain. Textor has acknowledged the broader issues facing traditional clubs in football today, criticizing the system that allows financial disparities to affect competition. He wishes for a platform where clubs like Sheffield Wednesday could thrive once more. As the club grapples with ongoing crises, the potential for new ownership could bring about necessary changes. However, until formal negotiations occur, the future of Sheffield Wednesday under Chansiri's leadership and Textor's potential involvement remains ambiguous at best.