Sheffield Wednesday Captain Expects Championship Opener Despite Financial Crisis

Sheffield Wednesday is facing significant turmoil ahead of their 2025-26 Championship season opener against Leicester City, with players refusing to participate in a recent behind-closed-doors friendly due to delayed wages, marking the fourth such incident in five months under owner Dejphon Chansiri. Despite ongoing financial struggles, including player departures, an inability to sign new players due to EFL embargoes until January 2027, and the closure of Hillsborough's North Stand following a safety prohibition notice, club captain Barry Bannan remains optimistic about fulfilling the upcoming fixture. Bannan, who recently signed a contract extension into his 11th season, emphasized that the players chose to forgo the friendly as a statement but intend to play Championship matches, aiming to maintain professionalism and present a united front. Manager Danny Rohl's recent departure and replacement by Henrik Pedersen have added to the club's instability, while supporter groups plan protests against Chansiri's ownership during the televised match. The EFL has expressed concerns about the club's ability to fulfill fixtures, but Bannan reassured that the team has continued training and is committed to competing despite the ongoing crisis. Overall, Sheffield Wednesday is navigating a challenging off-season marked by financial mismanagement, fan unrest, and squad upheaval but remains focused on starting the season.