Sheffield Wednesday players hint at strike action amid ongoing payment issues
Sheffield Wednesday players have released a statement hinting they could go on strike if payment issues are not sorted. Owls stars and other club staff have been paid late on multiple occasions this year as the financial crisis at Hillsborough worsens.
The latest round of unpaid wages came at the end of July, with last week's planned friendly at Burnley being cancelled a result. Now, players have seemingly warned Sunday's season opener at Leicester could go the same way if the problem is not rectified.
The players have come out in solidarity with their colleagues in other departments who haven't received their pay packets amid the continued turbulent ownership of Thai tuna magnate Dejphon Chansiri.
But they have moved to reassure fans they will not 'down tools', and are simply seeking clarity from Chansiri amid a lack of information both privately and in public.
"As has been well publicised, players, coaching and club staff groups at the club have all been impacted by delayed and overdue payment of salaries," the statement said.
"This has been a worrying time for us as players but, whist we are often the ones in the spotlight, we are not the only ones involved. We stand together in support with all our colleagues employed by the club who have been affected.
"Players and staff are now feeling real, practical impacts in their professional and personal lives and we are extremely concerned at the lack of clarity regarding what is happening and when this will be resolved.
"The decision taken by the players to withdraw from the planned friendly with Burnley was not taken lightly or without consideration. We are fully aware of the added concern this will have caused supporters but trust there is a real understanding of the difficult position we have been put in.
"We want to reassure fans that there has not been, and will not be, any 'downing of tools' by any of us on the training ground, and we are all working as hard as we can and supporting each other, the manager and staff.
"However, we, like you, want our focus to be fully on what happens on the pitch and the new season ahead. This is proving to be really challenging and we have made it clear to the club that we want this situation to be addressed as soon as possible so decisions taken like the one not to play at Burnley are avoided in the future. We can then all move forward together as a club."
Wednesday are left with just 16 senior players following the cut-price sales of Djeidi Gassama to Rangers, Anthony Musaba to Samsunspor and academy product Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri - son of ex-Everton favourite Danny - to Manchester City.
Michael Smith and Josh Windass walked out for free to Preston and Wrexham respectively after tendering their notices, while it is understood several others have done the same since the July pay date was missed.
Wednesday fans travelling to Leicester for the season opener on Sunday have pledged to not take their seats for the first five minutes of the match as a show of defiance live on Sky Sports.
The club's Supporters' Trust has raised more than £10,000 to fund further protests and has urged fans to stop spending money in a bid to force Chansiri into a sale.
The North Stand at Hillsborough has been condemned by health and safety chiefs with season ticket holders yet to be notified where they will be relocated ahead of the first home game of the season against Stoke next week.
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