What would happen to Sheffield Wednesday players if they didn't play Leicester City fixture | OneFootball

Wednesday's financial turmoil has reached critical levels under Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri

Sheffield Wednesday players have confirmed they will play their Championship opener against Leicester City, despite seriously considering a boycott.

Wednesday's financial turmoil has reached critical levels under Thai businessman Chansiri, who purchased the club for a reported £30m in 2015.

The 57-year-old owner, whose family owns seafood giant Thai Union Group, has been responsible for the EFL placing the Owls under multiple embargoes, including a three-window transfer ban preventing any signings with a fee until 2026.

Henrik Pedersen stepped up from assistant to replace Danny Rohl as manager on July 31st, inheriting what he described as "rough waters."

The Dane faces the daunting task of managing a threadbare squad of just 16 senior players - with only one goalkeeper and more departures expected.

Wednesday players forced to abandon strike plans

The Owls squad were advised they could face breach of contract claims if they refused to play the televised fixture at the King Power Stadium, according to Sky Sports correspondent Rob Dorsett.

Despite enduring late payments for the fourth time in five months, captain Barry Bannan had expected the team would honour their fixture obligations.

"We pulled out of the Burnley game at the weekend, that was simply because it's happened too much now and I think it's a lot easier to pull out of a pre-season friendly game than it is a Championship fixture," Bannan told talkSPORT.

"We've come into training and just got on with it and made it look to the outside world like we're fine with it, so that was our choice then to say enough is enough really," Bannan added. The 35-year-old Scotsman signed a new contract with the South Yorkshire side on the 2nd August, whilst revealing he turned down interest from elsewhere to stay put.

Owls fans plan protest despite players' decision

Sheffield Wednesday Supporters' Trust has organised a protest for Sunday's fixture, asking fans to delay taking their seats until five minutes after kick-off.

The demonstration aims to highlight the club's struggles to a national audience - with an empty away end displaying anti-Chansiri banners.

Despite selling out their 3,300 away allocation for Leicester, supporter patience has understandably gone past breaking point after years of decline under Chansiri's ownership.

The owner remains in his home country of Thailand, and has shown little engagement with anyone connected with the club during the crisis.

Ultimately, with the Championship season beginning amid such a mess, Wednesday's survival in the division appears increasingly unliklely.

Even though the players have committed to fulfilling games, the club's long-term future still remains in serious doubt until Chaniri either provides adequate funding or agrees to sell at a realistic price.