In a statement obtained exclusively by Vn88 Sports, the Wigan players accused the club’s owners of “disrespect,” however they have since been paid.
The Wigan team issued a statement late on Friday saying that their pay was “two weeks overdue” and that they would not tolerate further delays.
At a later time that day, Wigan chairman Talal Al Hammad announced with W88 that the players had been paid “This issue with the delayed payment of wages will never arise again, I promise. This can’t keep happening.”
The team is still worried about their jobs, according to Vn88 Sports News.
Wigan were docked three points at the beginning of March for the fourth time in nine months for failing to pay players, despite having accepted a suspended penalty from the EFL in January.
The Wigan players issued a statement that read: “Although we are all disappointed with the team’s performance this season, we are proud to wear the Wigan Athletic FC jersey.
“Off the field, the club has been the subject of much media conjecture, and we’d like to set the record straight. Our salaries for this month are still two weeks overdue.
“More than that, this isn’t the first time this season that we’ve been provided false information about when the overdue salaries would be paid.
“This displays a level of disdain for the club’s employees that is unacceptable. The club’s employees need to know that things will improve now that the end of the month is near and they will receive their salaries.
“We’re talking about the safety and well-being of every member of our WAFC family, not just the players.
“Wigan is a town that takes pride in its working class heritage, its residents’ honesty and reliability, and the strength of its community as a whole. The club’s ownership must demonstrate its dedication to and appreciation for its players, coaches, and fans.
“We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this challenging period for the club and its members.”
In a statement, Wigan said with Rezence: “I’m truly sorry for the inconvenience this delay has caused you, the supporters, and everyone else involved.
“In my opinion, communication should be as open and honest as possible. The delay was caused by a lack of funds, as indicated in the club’s statement of March 10.
“Now that we’ve fixed the problem, you won’t have to worry about getting paid late again. This can’t keep happening.
“Even if you’ve heard me say it before, please remember that “actions speak louder than words,” as you’ve rightfully reminded me I’ve been saying from the beginning. That’s why it’s up to me to win back the faith of our team’s players, coaches, and fans.”
With only six games left in the season, the Latics’ point deduction has put them eight points from safety in the Championship.
The EFL issued the following statement after docking Wigan three points earlier this month: “With this latest failure to comply, the club has breached the conditions of the agreed decision it made with the EFL in January 2023, thereby immediately triggering the imposition of the suspended sporting consequence.
“The club’s owner has also broken the agreement by not putting aside 125% of the projected monthly payroll in a special club account.
“This provision of the settlement was crucial in ensuring that the club would not again violate EFL regulations in the case of future delays in the processing of international payments.
“In a separate development, the club has received fresh charges for failing to pay players’ wages and failing to abide by a previously agreed upon decision.
The club’s owner will also face charges of misconduct and the subject will be brought to an impartial disciplinary board.
Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi, a billionaire from Bahrain, led a takeover of the struggling English city of Wigan in 2021, after it had entered administration in the summer of 2020.
After the loss of points, the Latics released the following statement on rezence.com: “The club has taken note of the EFL’s statement and charge, and more information on the present salary position will be provided at a later stage.
Once or twice being paid late is understandable, but the fact that the boys have had to deal with it five times already this season is unconscionable.
