A significant crisis has engulfed Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, as reports confirm players have collectively refused to participate in a pre-season friendly, citing persistent delays in wage payments, plunging the club into deeper financial turmoil.
The scheduled behind-closed-doors friendly against Burnley was abruptly cancelled Saturday following the players’ decision to boycott the match. This drastic action underscores the escalating tensions within the club as its financial woes continue to mount.
Sheffield Wednesday currently operates under a stringent English Football League (EFL) embargo, primarily imposed due to outstanding transfer fees. Owner Dejphon Chansiri is reportedly actively seeking to sell the cash-strapped Sky Bet Championship club, highlighting the severity of its financial instability.
The immediate aftermath of Henrik Pedersen’s appointment as the new head coach on Thursday saw the cancellation of the friendly just hours later. Both players and coaching staff united in their resolve to boycott the fixture after July’s monthly salaries were not disbursed on time.
This latest development follows a tumultuous summer for the Owls, marked by the recent departure of former head coach Danny Rohl. The club has faced multiple embargoes throughout 2024, stemming from a series of financial irregularities, including previous instances of late salary payments to players and staff.
Inside sources indicate increasing apprehension within the EFL regarding the unfolding crisis at Hillsborough. There is a palpable concern whether Sheffield Wednesday will even be able to fulfill its opening Sky Bet Championship fixture against Leicester on August 10, raising questions about the club’s very viability.
Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri acquired the club in January 2015 from Milan Mandaric in a reported £30 million deal. Under his ownership, the Owls twice came close to securing promotion to the Premier League, narrowly missing out in the 2016 and 2017 play-offs, a stark contrast to its current predicament.
The club’s financial distress is further evidenced by a player registration embargo, specifically in place for unpaid transfer fees, alongside the aforementioned salary payment issues. These ongoing restrictions severely hamper the club’s ability to conduct normal football operations and reinforce the urgent need for a resolution.
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