Sheffield Wednesday’s squad haven’t ruled out going on a further strike amid the club’s ongoing crisis.
The Owls players released a statement on Monday about the dire situation they find themselves in.
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Sheffield Wednesday’s players have felt they had to speak out about the situationCredit: Getty
It comes after the team refused to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Burnley over the weekend.
Sheffield Wednesday have been in major financial trouble over the last few months, with wages going unpaid.
Players were told last week that they would have their pay delayed for the fourth time in the last five months.
Staff members have also witnessed delays in receiving their pay, while manager Danny Rohl has left by mutual consent.
The club are currently under multiple transfer embargoes too, due to the late payments and some stars have already walked out.
Sheffield Wednesday’s situation is getting worse by the day and the players have now spoken out.
Their statement read: “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.
“This has been a worrying time for us as players but, whilst 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.
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The Owls’ squad and staff continue to have their pay delayed, with owner Dejphon Chansiri under fire for his management of the clubCredit: Getty
“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. The Players.”
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The squad could now refuse to play against Leicester in their season openerCredit: GettyWill Sheffield Wednesday’s players strike?
It appears that the Sheffield Wednesday squad could be considering boycotting their opening game of the new season.
The Owls are due to face Leicester on Sunday, exclusively live on talkSPORT 2.
They have called for the situation at the club to be resolved as soon as possible to avoid having to refuse to play.
But with no progress made amid the payment delays in recent months, there may be a real chance of further action.
And the players could join the supporters in standing up against owner Dejphon Chansiri for the fixture at King Power Stadium.
Fans are planning a protest for their first game of the campaign.
What is going on at Morecambe and Sheffield Wednesday? ‘A huge statement’
Sheffield Wednesday fans will not sit in their seats at the game on Sunday, should it go ahead, until five minutes after kick-off.
A statement from the Supporters Trust read: “With the match live on Sky Sports, a visibly empty away end will highlight the seriousness of our club’s plight to a national audience.
“An additional impactful, visual, large-scale display has been arranged for the day, which we hope will make a huge statement.
“While we are aware stronger action is required this season, we do not feel this is the correct fixture, the opportunity for nationwide coverage is too good to miss.”
This action comes after some rare positive news that club legend Barry Bannan had signed a new contract to stay at Hillsborough.
Ex-boss Rohl’s old assistant, Henrik Pedersen, has also been appointed as manager amidst all of the ongoing chaos.