Players from Championship rivals of West Brom and Birmingham City refuse to train as Steven Caulker slams ‘completely unacceptable’ wage situation

Wigan Athletic players refused to train on Friday morning in a stand-off with the club after failing to be paid for the month of March.

Wigan Today reporter Paul Kendrick broke the news that Latics stars won't return to Christopher Park for work until they receive their salary from club ownership group Phoenix 2021 Limited.

The decision came after group meetings between players who were meant to have been paid earlier this month but, for the fourth time since June 2022, the money did not arrive on time. The club has cited 'liquidity issues' as the reason.

The EFL had already issued a suspended three-point deduction in January for failure to pay wages with the penalty then applied this month, after another failure to pay, all but condemning the club to relegation.

Wigan sit eight points from safety, with 21st-placed Cardiff City also with a game in hand. Should the issue not be resolved before April 1, it is believed Wigan's next Championship fixture against QPR could be thrown into doubt if players refuse to pay.

Centre-back Steven Caulker has hit out at the club on LinkedIn as the situation escalates. The 31-year-old wrote: "This lies us as players have been told by Wigan Athletic F.C. is absolutely scandalous.

"There may be reasons for late payment once or twice, but for the boys to have experienced this five times this season is completely unacceptable.

'We are told as players every day that the money is on its way and will "hopefully" reach our account by the afternoon. 14 days later, the money still hasn't arrived.

"Furthermore, what is more concerning is that we are due to be paid again on the 7th of April and the club are unable to confirm whether they will have enough funds for this.

"Since I arrived at this club I have seen the players and backroom staff work tirelessly to try keep this club in the championship. It's really painful to now see that task become harder and harder each passing day.

"As the famous saying goes, 'being silent while witnessing an injustice makes you guilty of the oppression as well'. Well, my position is clear, I stand with the honest hard working staff and players, whose mental health is now being affected by this."