Sheffield Wednesday's squad has withdrawn from a scheduled behind-closed-doors match against Burnley this Saturday following another delayed wage payment.
The Championship club failed to pay July salaries on schedule, marking the fourth instance of late wages in the past five months.
The boycott represents the first public protest by the squad, who were informed of the payment delay during a meeting at Middlewood Road on Wednesday afternoon.
This latest financial setback prompted an angry response from players, who collectively decided to cancel the pre-season fixture.
Sheffield Wednesday have been placed under an 18-month transfer embargo for failing to pay transfer fees and late staff payments
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The match had been arranged for an early morning kick-off to allow Burnley staff to attend another friendly later that day.
Despite Burnley's offer to cover accommodation costs for the Yorkshire club, Wednesday's players stood firm in their decision to withdraw.
The financial turmoil at Hillsborough has intensified following Tuesday's departure of manager Danny Rohl by mutual consent.
His assistant Henrik Pedersen has taken charge, acknowledging the club faces "rough waters" and comparing the situation to Viking ancestors weathering storms.
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We are delighted to announce the appointment of Henrik Pedersen as our new manager.
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) July 31, 2025
The Dane takes the S6 reins with immediate effect#swfc pic.twitter.com/ofoEPX1Xsm
Wednesday remain under an EFL transfer embargo due to outstanding transfer fees, preventing any summer signings whilst fourteen players have left the club.
Most departures involved expired contracts or mutual termination agreements, with only winger Djeidi Gassama's move to Rangers generating a transfer fee.
Serious doubts have emerged about whether the club can fulfil their Championship opener against Leicester City on August 10.
Some within Hillsborough believe the King Power Stadium fixture may need postponement unless the desperate situation improves significantly.
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Players have expressed particular frustration at the absence of direct communication from club owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Several squad members have reportedly been forced to seek alternative funding to meet personal financial commitments during recent months of delayed payments.
The squad is contemplating whether to refuse participation in the Leicester fixture, though contractual considerations and the match's significance make a collective boycott less probable at present.
Players are weighing up the legal implications of such action alongside the game's importance to the club.
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Josh Windass is one of the players who has left Hillsbrough this season, joining newly-promoted Wrexham
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Reports suggest squad members are prepared to fund their own accommodation for the Leicester journey after being informed the club might not arrange hotels.
The Yorkshire club's difficulties extend beyond financial matters, with Sheffield Council declaring Hillsborough's North Stand structurally unsafe.
The 9,000-seat section cannot be used for matches, dealing another blow to the historic club and its supporters.
Wednesday's squad has been decimated to just fifteen players, with only eight aged over 25 and merely one goalkeeper amongst them.
Notable departures include club captain Barry Bannan after his contract expired and Josh Windass, who terminated his agreement to join Wrexham.
The EFL has expressed extreme concern about the deteriorating circumstances at Hillsborough and maintains regular contact with club officials.
Since Chansiri's 2015 takeover, Wednesday have faced multiple sanctions including a 2017 transfer embargo for breaching profit and sustainability rules, a points deduction in 2020/21, and another embargo last year for late staff payments.