July 2 – Struggling Championship club Sheffield Wednesday’s financial turmoil has deepened even further, with several senior players now moving to terminate their contracts and leave the club on free transfers following a third instance of delayed wage payments in four months.
Only the club’s Under-21 players were paid on time this month, with the first-team squad again left waiting for their salaries despite repeated assurances.
The latest failure has triggered a clause in FIFA regulations allowing players to walk away from their contracts if they are not paid on time for two consecutive months. The rule allows player to provide formal written notice after which the club has 15 days to rectify the situation or risk losing the players for nothing.
Multiple players are believed to have now handed in such notices in response to the club’s breach.
In a letter to staff and players on Monday, the club offered a “sincere apology” for the delays – but that has done little to stem the growing frustration inside the dressing room, or among fans, with the club’s controversial owner, Dejphon Chansiri.
The Thai businessman, who has long been a target of fan anger, remains in charge despite previously promising to step down if supporters no longer wanted him. Just last week, Chansiri stunned potential buyers by demanding a £5 million deposit merely to begin discussions over a sale — a move widely viewed as unrealistic and obstructive given the club’s current financial crisis.
Chansiri is reportedly asking for £100 million to sell the club, a significant markup on the £60 million he paid in 2017, despite the team now facing a growing financial crisis.
The latest developments threaten to derail Sheffield Wednesday’s preparations for the upcoming season, with a growing risk of player departures, further instability, and deepening disillusionment among supporters.
Unless urgent action is taken to stabilise the club, Wednesday face the prospect of entering the new campaign short on players, and with a long road back to stability under an ownership that looks increasingly untenable.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1751467699labto1751467699ofdlr1751467699owedi1751467699sni@g1751467699niwe.1751467699yrrah1751467699