EFL Concerned Over Sheffield Wednesday’s Ability to Fulfil Fixtures Amid Financial Turmoil

The English Football League has expressed growing concern about Sheffield Wednesday’s ability to complete their 2025/26 Championship campaign, as the club’s financial crisis continues to deepen.

Under the ownership of Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri, the Owls have been plagued by mounting debts, repeated failures to pay wages, and recent safety concerns at Hillsborough — prompting serious questions over the club’s short-term future.

The club’s first match of the new season is scheduled for 10th August against Leicester City, but with a first-team squad of just 14 players and more expected to depart, that fixture is now at risk of postponement.

This week has seen a series of blows:

• Multiple first-team players have walked away from their contracts after consecutive late wage payments. 
• Manager Danny Rohl left the club by mutual consent.
• The North Stand at Hillsborough has been closed by Sheffield City Council due to structural concerns.

The BBC reports players have been told they must now pay for their own hotel stays before away matches, and one pre-season fixture against Burnley was cancelled after players reportedly refused to play.

Wages were paid late in March, May, and June, and players were recently informed that July’s wages would also be delayed. Under EFL rules, players who receive late payment two months in a row are entitled to terminate their contracts immediately. Max Lowe is the latest player to do so, and several others are understood to be considering the same.

Only 16 senior players are currently listed on the club’s website, but that includes Lowe and former captain Barry Bannan, who is out of contract and expected to leave.

The financial crisis has also led to a transfer embargo, preventing the club from paying fees for new players in the next three windows. The EFL charged Sheffield Wednesday and Chansiri in June for rule breaches over unpaid wages, but that case has not yet been heard.

The EFL is understood to be monitoring the situation closely as fears grow about the club’s ability to fulfil its fixtures this season.