Sheffield Wednesday is currently embroiled in a crisis after failing to pay players and staff on time for the third time this year. The majority of Sheffield Wednesday's first-team players did not receive their June wages on time. Non-playing staff are also affected, with many not receiving their expected salaries. The club has offered sincere apologies for the late payments but has not guaranteed when the outstanding wages will be paid. They are aiming to complete the payments within the next two weeks.
The failure to pay wages has triggered serious consequences. Starting July 1st, unpaid players have the option to give notice of their intent to terminate their contracts and become free agents. FIFA rules state that if players aren't paid on time for two consecutive months, they have "just cause" to leave the club. Players have reportedly contacted the EFL, requesting that their salaries be paid directly from TV rights money owed to the club.
The EFL has already charged Sheffield Wednesday and its owner, Dejphon Chansiri, with multiple breaches of regulations regarding payment obligations. These charges relate to the failure to pay wages on time in March and May 2025. The EFL described the situation as "clearly concerning" and initiated formal action. Sheffield Wednesday was placed under a transfer embargo due to the non-payment of players and staff, limiting their ability to sign new players. Under the embargo, the club can only sign players without transfer fees or loans and must maintain a squad of no more than 23 professional players. The embargo will remain until all outstanding wages are paid.
Adding to the turmoil, many non-football staff members have also not received their June wages, causing considerable concern. Last month, some staff received only partial payments, with an "emergency funding" process established for those facing financial hardship. There is concern that this emergency fund will not continue, as the correspondence sent to those impacted made no reference to it.
The club's Supporters' Trust has expressed outrage, demanding a transparent explanation and reiterating their call for Dejphon Chansiri to sell the club. They believe his continued ownership is catastrophic for Sheffield Wednesday.
Sheffield Wednesday's financial issues have a history. In March 2025, the club failed to pay players on time due to "cash flow" issues. The EFL is considering all available options and has charged both the club and owner Dejphon Chansiri. Chansiri has been accused of breaching EFL regulations despite his commitment to funding the club. The club and Chansiri had 14 days to respond to the charges. In May 2025, players and staff again experienced non-payment or partial payment of wages. This prompted warnings of a potential three-window transfer embargo if the issue wasn't resolved quickly.
