Angry Wigan players in talks to go on STRIKE and refuse to play final Championship game of season over more unpaid wages
ANGRY Wigan players are in talks about going on STRIKE — and refusing to play the final Championship game of the season against Rotherham on Monday.
The Latics squad, who did not train on Saturday, have been let down by the club’s Bahraini owners who failed to pay all the wages on time on Friday.
Some players have now been paid late — but those out of contract in the summer are still to see their money.
And unless that missing cash arrives before the match with the Millers, relegated Wigan are openly discussing not playing.
Chairman Talal Al Hammad revealed that the cash will not go in until AFTER the game — and that may not be enough to convince the players to turn out.
Wigan could be forced to use their reserves or even youth-team players to make up numbers, although that would cause further trouble with the EFL — who are also fuming about the situation.
The Latics were hit with a three-point penalty by the league for previous offences of not paying players or staff on four occasions this season.
They have other charges against their owners, who were ordered to put cash aside for salaries.
But to field a weakened side — even in a meaningless game — would see further potential punishments that could include points penalties for next season.
Al Hammad said “all available resources” had been used so far, raising huge questions about how they can fund the club in the long term.
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A Wigan statement read: “Staff wages were paid on Friday with the chairman Mr Talal Al Hammad making a decision to pay as many employees as possible within the organisation with the resources available.
“All remaining playing and non-playing staff will be paid at the earliest opportunity following the Bank Holiday weekend.
“The ownership group, Phoenix 2021 Limited, insist they are working hard to ensure that this is rectified as soon as possible and apologise again for the stress this has caused.
“All first-team players have been given the day off from training today given the difficult circumstances.
“The club will make no further comment until it has further clarification.”