Sheffield Wednesday Squad Withdraws from Match Amid Wage Payment Delays
In a significant turn of events, Sheffield Wednesday’s squad has decided to withdraw from a planned behind-closed-doors match against Burnley this Saturday, following yet another delay in wage payments. The Championship club has faced repeated financial issues, failing to meet the scheduled payment for July salaries – this marks the fourth instance of late wages in just five months.
This collective boycott signifies the team’s first public protest against the ongoing financial instability. Players were made aware of the payment delay during a meeting at Middlewood Road on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a strong reaction from the squad. In solidarity, they opted to cancel the pre-season fixture, which was originally set for an early morning kick-off to accommodate Burnley staff for another friendly later that day.
Despite Burnley’s generous offer to cover accommodation costs for the Yorkshire club, Wednesday’s players remained resolute in their decision to withdraw from the match. The financial turmoil at Hillsborough has only escalated following the recent departure of manager Danny Rohl by mutual consent. His assistant, Henrik Pedersen, has stepped in as interim manager, acknowledging the club’s challenging circumstances and likening the situation to Viking ancestors navigating rough seas.
In addition to these issues, Sheffield Wednesday is currently under an 18-month transfer embargo due to outstanding transfer fees and delayed staff payments, which has halted any potential summer signings. The club has seen a significant player exodus, with fourteen players leaving, primarily through expired contracts or mutual terminations. Notably, only winger Djeidi Gassama’s transfer to Rangers generated a fee.
There are growing concerns about the club’s ability to compete in their Championship opener against Leicester City on August 10. If conditions don’t improve, there’s speculation that the match at King Power Stadium may need to be postponed.
Players have expressed frustration over the lack of direct communication from club owner Dejphon Chansiri, with some reportedly seeking alternative means to meet personal financial obligations during this period of instability. While the squad is considering a boycott of the Leicester fixture, the importance of the match and contractual obligations make a collective withdrawal less likely.
Recent reports indicate that players may even pay for their own accommodations for the Leicester match, as the club has hinted it might not arrange hotels.
Moreover, Sheffield Wednesday’s challenges extend beyond financial woes; the Sheffield Council has declared that the North Stand at Hillsborough is structurally unsafe, rendering the 9,000-seat section unusable for matches and compounding the difficulties faced by the historic club and its supporters.
With the squad now reduced to just fifteen players—eight of whom are over 25 and only one goalkeeper—the situation appears dire. Major departures include club captain Barry Bannan and Josh Windass, who joined newly-promoted Wrexham after terminating his contract.
The English Football League (EFL) has voiced serious concerns regarding the deteriorating situation at Hillsborough and maintains ongoing communication with club officials. Since Dejphon Chansiri took over in 2015, Sheffield Wednesday has faced multiple sanctions, including a transfer embargo in 2017 for breaching financial rules, a points deduction in the 2020/21 season, and another embargo last year due to delayed staff payments.
As the situation unfolds, the future of Sheffield Wednesday remains uncertain, with fans and players alike hoping for a resolution to the club’s financial challenges.
