Sheffield Wednesday players have released a statement expressing their “extreme concern” over the lack of clarity surrounding the club’s financial situation. The Championship side has experienced late wage payments for three consecutive months, prompting the squad to withdraw from a planned friendly against Burnley last week.
The statement highlighted the “real, practical impacts” on players and staff, both professionally and personally. It emphasised that the decision to boycott the friendly was not taken lightly and was made to draw attention to the ongoing issues affecting all employees at the club.
“We stand together in support with all our colleagues employed by the club who have been affected,” the statement read. The players also sought to reassure fans that there would be no “downing of tools” on the training ground, but stressed the need for the situation to be resolved quickly to avoid similar actions in the future.
Sheffield Wednesday have previously been placed under a transfer embargo for payments owed to HMRC, and the EFL imposed a three-window fee restriction after the club exceeded 30 days of late payments. The Owls are set to begin their Championship season against Leicester City on 10 August, with fans planning a protest against owner Dejphon Chansiri.
