Shortly before the start of the new Championship season, things are in turmoil at traditional English club Sheffield Wednesday. The players have now also threatened to strike.
English club Sheffield Wednesday, which is in serious financial trouble, is threatening to descend into chaos just days before the start of the new season in the English second division. Due to overdue and delayed salary payments, the professionals demanded in an open letter “that this situation be resolved as quickly as possible so that decisions such as not playing in Burnley can be avoided in the future.” A few days ago, the players refused to play in a friendly match against Burnley FC.
German coach Danny Röhl (36), who had been touted as a candidate for RB Leipzig and Hamburger SV last season, had already left the Hillsborough-based club in the middle of preseason preparations. It remains unclear whether the first game of the season against Premier League relegation side Leicester City can take place next Sunday.
“The players’ decision to withdraw from the planned friendly match against Burnley was not taken lightly or without consideration,” the players said in a statement. “We are aware of the additional concern this has caused the fans, but trust that they will understand the difficult situation we find ourselves in.”
“We are extremely concerned about the uncertainty.”
It is also reported that both players and staff are feeling the effects of the situation at the club on their professional and private lives. “We are extremely concerned about the uncertainty, about what is happening and when this situation will be resolved.” However, they want to “work as hard as possible” in training.
In June, the English League Association imposed a transfer ban on Sheffield Wednesday for allegedly failing to pay transfer fees and player salaries. Including the current summer, Wednesday will not be allowed to spend any money on transfers for the next three transfer windows, but the club has appealed against the ruling.
