Concern over whether Sheff Wed can play opening fixture

The financial crisis at Sheffield Wednesday is causing growing concern within the English Football League over whether the club will be able to play their opening game of the Sky Bet Championship season, it has been reported.

It is understood Wednesday players have refused to feature in a scheduled behind-closed-doors friendly against Burnley on Saturday after the club failed to pay their wages on time.

The Owls are currently under an EFL embargo for unpaid transfer fees and owner Dejphon Chansiri is trying to sell the cash-strapped club.

Wednesday appointed Henrik Pedersen as their new head coach on Thursday following the departure of Danny Rohl and, just hours later, Saturday's friendly was cancelled as players and coaching staff decided to boycott the match after not receiving July’s monthly salary on time.

Rohl left Hillsborough on Tuesday amid a chaotic summer which has seen the club placed under a number of embargoes because of financial issues.

Players were paid late in May and June, while this is the fourth time in the last five months that salaries have been delayed.

There is increasing concern within the EFL it is reported, over the escalating crisis at the club and that extends to whether Wednesday will be able to fulfil their opening Championship fixture at Leicester on 10 August.

Thai businessman Chansiri completed his takeover from previous owner Milan Mandaric in January 2015 for a reported €35million and the club twice went close to promotion to the Premier League when losing out in the 2016 and 2017 play-offs.

Since then Wednesday have lurched from one financial crisis to another.

They were first placed under an EFL embargo in 2017 over profitability and sustainability rules and were docked 12 points – reduced to six on appeal – at the start of the 2020-21 season for further financial breaches.

The Owls were placed under embargo for late salary payments to players and staff in 2024, while a player registration embargo is also in place for unpaid transfer fees.

New boss Pedersen admitted the club were in "rough waters" following his appointment, with registration restrictions and the departure of several key players leaving him with a threadbare squad.

Djeidi Gassama and Anthony Musaba have been sold this summer to Rangers and Samsunspor respectively, while Josh Windass and Michael Smith had their contracts terminated by mutual consent to allow them to join Wrexham and Preston.

The latest missed payments to players and staff heaps further pressure on Chansiri, who insists he is willing to sell the club for the right price.

He recently revealed he had rejected one consortium’s bid, while talks with various other interested parties have stalled.

Click here to read article