Sheffield Wednesday released an official statement on Tuesday to update supporters about the “internal measures” they were undertaking during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Owls revealed that some staff would be furloughed and have 80% of their wages covered by the Government through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, but Dejphon Chansiri personally promised to cover the remaining 20% so all staff would get their salaries in full.
The official statement read: “Sheffield Wednesday can confirm revised internal measures effective from 1 April 2020.
“In the best interests of all staff and to help safeguard the future of the club, a significant number of employees are being furloughed as part of the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
“Remaining staff are working from home, with the main stadium and training ground locked down. The job retention scheme guarantees 80% of regular remuneration up to £2,500 per month, but SWFC chairman Dejphon Chansiri has pledged all furloughed members of staff will continue to receive full salary.”
Wednesday added that they’re also in talks with the PFA for a solution regarding pay deferral and welcomed any donations from supporters to local charities assisting those most affected by the spread of the pandemic.
Fans were delighted with Tuesday’s announcement and took to social media to praise Chansiri’s generosity.
Club statement #swfc
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) March 31, 2020
Well done mr chansiri! Again!
— Sergej Odström (@SergejOdstrom) March 31, 2020
Well done mr chansiri this is great news.
— Andy McElwaine (@andymcelwaine) March 31, 2020
well done Chansiri👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— edders🏴🇬🇧 (@ejc1867) March 31, 2020
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Well done DC!!
— Tampa Owl ®️🦉💙🏴🇺🇸 (@SirTampaowl) March 31, 2020
Great news, glad that chairman is doing right by everyone. Well done DC.
— Robert Stow (@YahYah_Gunn) March 31, 2020
Chansiri deserves credit for this, well done. 👏
— Kel (@TinManScotty) March 31, 2020
Nice touch from DC here 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— Matt Exton (@owl4life1867) March 31, 2020
As per WhoScored, the Owls sat 15th in the Championship with 48 points from 37 games before the season was postponed until April 30. It remains to be seen if the campaign will be resumed later this month, but there is a determination to conclude the season rather than void it.
Nevertheless, Wednesday are taking the right approach by ensuring staff are paid in full while furloughed. Chansiri has come in for criticism from supporters for financial mismanagement which saw Wednesday close to breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, but his latest pledge will go some way to healing his relationship with the fanbase.