Football player from Sheffield Wednesday signs unexpected extended contract following emotional social media post amid the club's ongoing turmoil.
In the heart of England, Sheffield Wednesday finds itself embroiled in a financial crisis that shows no signs of abating. The Championship club, currently under a transfer embargo, has been struggling with repeated late payments and non-payment of player wages, leading to a series of unsettling events.
The only deal involving a fee this summer saw Djeidi Gassama move to Rangers, leaving Sheffield Wednesday in a precarious position. The club's financial instability has disrupted team operations, with players cancelling a behind-closed-doors friendly in early August 2025 reportedly due to unpaid wages for July.
As of mid-2025, Sheffield Wednesday has failed to pay player wages on time for at least four of the last five months, including non-payments in March and May 2025. This has resulted in formal charges from the English Football League (EFL) against both the club and the owner, Dejphon Chansiri. The situation exposes the club to the risk of players terminating their contracts for just cause under FIFA regulations if payments continue to be withheld, which could further destabilize the squad.
Amidst this turmoil, Barry Bannan has decided to stay at Sheffield Wednesday, signing a new deal despite interest from other clubs. Bannan, a key player for the Owls, admitted that being out of contract for the first time in his career was difficult, but he chose to remain loyal to the club. His decision was influenced by conversations with his family and the emotional support they offered.
Bannan's daughter was also deeply affected by the possibility of her father leaving the club. In a touching gesture, Bannan posted an emotional message on Instagram, complete with six blue hearts and the caption: "Remember, no storm lasts forever. Hold on. Be brave. Have faith. Every storm is temporary and we're never alone."
The season opener for Sheffield Wednesday could be called off as players refuse to play, a direct consequence of the unpaid wages. The club was forced to lodge a request to play their season opener away from home due to the state of the North Stand at Hillsborough, which was deemed not safe for spectator use by the Sheffield city council.
New Owls boss Henrik Pedersen finds himself with less than 10 players aged over 25 at the club, a situation that reflects the mass exodus of players from Sheffield Wednesday. In total, 14 players have departed from the club, with most leaving after their contracts expired or were terminated by mutual consent.
The EFL is reportedly considering drastic financial interventions to address the club’s unpaid debts and wage delays, indicating the seriousness of the crisis and the league’s close involvement in resolving it. Although payments owed to HMRC briefly triggered an embargo, this was lifted after funds were paid, showing some responsiveness to urgent financial obligations.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the club owner has expressed confidence that Sheffield Wednesday will eventually be sold, which may help secure the club’s future and stabilize finances if completed. The ongoing ownership uncertainty adds to the instability, though potential sale plans and EFL interventions offer some hope for resolution.
References:
- The Athletic
- Yorkshire Live
- The Star
- The Telegraph
- The Guardian
The manager, under immense pressure, struggles to assemble a squad for football matches due to the ongoing financial crisis at Sheffield Wednesday. Despite interest from other clubs, key player Barry Bannan remains committed to the football club, expressing his loyalty through a heartfelt Instagram post.
The financial instability at Sheffield Wednesday not only affects the transfer market but also jeopardizes the football club's participation in sports, as players refuse to participate in the season opener due to unpaid wages.
