Sheffield Wednesday crisis leads to major new concern ahead of new Championship season
The English Football League (EFL) are becoming increasingly concerned about the situation at Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls are in crisis, having failed to pay its players for the third month in a row under owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Wednesday's friendly match against Burnley has been cancelled, with their players unwilling to turn out. A number of players have already left this summer after ending their contracts, with Josh Windass, Michael Smith, Akin Famewo, Callum Paterson, Mallik Wilks, Pol Valentin and Michael Ihiekwe all moving on.
And a report from BBC Sport states that EFL is now worried the club will not be able to fulfil their opening Championship game against Leicester on August 10. The EFL charged both Chansiri and the club back in June for breaching their rules by failing to pay wages.
The Professional Footballers' Association has also been supporting the players, with CEO Maheta Molango describing the situation as "shocking". Molango said last month: "Unfortunately, Sheffield Wednesday have a pattern of late payments — I think it's the third time in four months.
"We've been in touch with the players. Our role is not to tell them what they need to do, (it is) to give them the tools and say, 'this is what you could do if those criteria are met'.
"Then it is for them to assess what they want to do. I wouldn't take it for granted that just because certain criteria are met, automatically someone just terminates their contract. There are other considerations.
"It's not an easy situation, as you can imagine, because ultimately, you know, people need to be paid. For me, it's a bit shocking because normally this is stuff you see in other countries I have played in, but not in England.
"So, we really want to be strong on that. This is something that we will not tolerate and we will be very much on top of it. It's not a good situation but we hope that somehow there could be a positive resolution to it."
Chansiri said back in June that he had rejected two offers to sell the club, stating: "I take full responsibility for being unable to fulfil my current obligations, but a further obligation I have is to ensure that if the club is sold, it is sold to the right people with the right credentials who can sustain Sheffield Wednesday and take the club forward.
"I understand our fans are not happy and wish for me to sell, which some have said when contacting me direct. All I ask is please do not believe everything you read in the media or on social media.
"I repeat that I am willing to sell but the deal must be correct on all fronts – it is not just about the price. I have been seriously engaging in looking for investment from new parties, and continue to do so to quickly remedy this situation.
"I also understand the frustrations of everyone at this difficult time. I can only apologise to our people once again and assure you all that I am doing everything I can, every minute of every day, to ensure the situation is resolved in the best possible way for now and the future."
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