As Sheffield Wednesday struggles through another tumultuous summer, EFL chairman Rick Parry has dropped a message that might resonate deeply with angry fans: the incoming football regulator will have truly extraordinary power—even enough to order owners like Dejphon Chansiri to sell their clubs.
Overview
Speaking on a BBC Radio 4 programme, Parry laid out the stark new reality: unlike the EFL, which can only disqualify owners under limited circumstances, the new regulator will be able to demand a sale and even appoint a trustee to run the club if the owner doesn’t comply. If successful, this is a serious escalation—and a clear warning to Chansiri and others treading financial boundaries.
What You Need to Know
- Rick Parry confirmed that the future regulator—under the new Football Governance Bill—will have the power to force owners to divest, and appoint trustees to manage clubs if necessary.
- The EFL’s current capacity to disqualify owners is limited—regulation’s scope is set to expand massively.
- Though Chansiri meets the existing fit-and-proper test, under the new regime, that alone won’t be enough to secure his position.
- If this goes through, it could set a powerful precedent—and send a message to problem owners across the sport.
Key Talking Points / Breakdown
1. A Legal Game-Changer for Football
Rick Parry isn’t mincing words: this regulator will operate with powers far beyond the EFL’s, including ultimatums for owners to sell and oversight by trustees if they refuse.
2. Chansiri’s Door Could Be Forced Open
Even if Chansiri hasn’t technically broken current rules, this new process changes the dynamics completely—he may remain guardian of Hillsborough only while the clock ticks.
3. No Turning Back Now
This hasn’t been done before. We don’t have precedent. It could be drawn-out, messy, or met with legal challenges—meaning this might be a LONG process.
4. What This Means for Football Governance
If the regulator can strip a football club from its owner, it sends a chilling warning to others. It’s a statement to anyone treating clubs like assets rather than community institutions.
Our Take
Rick Parry is a respected figure in football governance—and he truly believes this regulator will be more powerful than the EFL. But can they really tell an owner to sell his club? That remains the big question.
It’s uncharted territory. We’ve never seen this in action before, so whether Chansiri could mount a legal challenge—or if the process would drag on for months—we simply don’t know yet.
If this regulator can, in fact, strip Chansiri of the club, it would be massive. Not just for Wednesday—but for football at large. It would become a warning shot to owners everywhere: standards, integrity, and sustainability now matter.
For Owls fans, if it means the end of Chansiri’s reign—bring it on.
Do you believe this new regulator has the teeth to push Chansiri out? Or will it all just fade into bureaucracy? Head over to our socials and let us know.
Note: This article reflects our opinion based on publicly available reporting and commentary at the time of writing. Key insights are drawn from coverage by The Guardian and EFL Analysis.
