As you’d expect, the replies aren’t pretty
Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri has made the rather controversial decision to release a club statement congratulating the Owls’ historic rivals, Sheffield United, on earning automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Chansiri, a Thai businessman who owns the Thai Union Group – which, according to Wikipedia, is the world’s largest producer of canned tuna #themoreyouknow – took full control of Wednesday in 2015, but has quite clearly failed to grasp exactly what the Steel City derby means to supporters since then.
In the statement, complete with ominous stock imagery of Hillsborough, he wrote:
“Few things in life unite and divide opinion like football. But one thing at this stage of every season is undebatable and I would like to offer the warm congratulations of everyone at Sheffield Wednesday to everyone at our neighbours Sheffield United for their achievement of promotion.”
“We may be rivals but we are friends of the same city that holds such unique tradition in the football world. Recognition in the Premier League can only benefit Sheffield and we wish United well, whilst promising our loyal supporters that we will be giving our absolute best to ensure Wednesday will be tasting the same success this time next year”
Wednesday themselves narrowly missed a chance at promotion this season – with Derby County, Middlesbrough and Bristol City all still battling it out to finish 6th and join Leeds United, West Brom and Aston Villa in the playoffs.
Whilst the owner’s heart is clearly in the right place, and you have to respect the ‘classy gesture’ *exactly two hand-clap emojis* ‘and that’s coming from a fan of [insert literally any other football club here]’, similarly; you absolutely do not have to respect it at all and well within your rights to simply think it is an extremely, extremely bad thing to do.
Different club statements for different needs.
The Wednesday owner also went on to congratulate Norwich, who have also earned automatic promotion and more than likely the league title with only a game to play, whilst offering his condolences to the three relegated clubs: Ipswich, Bolton and Rotherham.
“We must also congratulate Norwich City on their promotion and offer our commiserations to Ipswich Town, Bolton Wanderers and Rotherham United. We wish you a speedy return to the Championship,” he concluded.
I don’t know why you’re still reading this article. Go and look at the reaction from Wednesday fans on Twitter now. I said now. Go.
