Championship

WIGAN face club chaos as their squad refused to train due to outstanding wages. The Championship strugglers were recently hit with a three-point deduction over the repeated non-payment of salaries.
Wigan’s Steven Caulker during a match with BurnleyCredit: Getty
And now the situation has become so bad players have revolted and refused to train after FOUR missed payments.
Ex-England international Steven Caulker remarkably spoke out to back his team-mates’ decision after broken promises from the Wigan hierarchy.
Caulker, 31, posted on Linkedin: “This lies us as players have been told by Wigan Athletic F.C. is absolutely scandalous.
“There may be reason for late payment once or twice, but for the boys to have experienced this 5 times this season is completely unacceptable.
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“We are told as players everyday 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 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.
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“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.”
Wigan currently sit rock-bottom of the Championship, without a win in EIGHT league games.
The Latics have had three managers this season, with Leam Richardson and Kolo Toure both sacked leaving Shaun Maloney now in charge.
But they have struggled financially and revealed losses of £7.7million for the financial year ending 30 June 2022.
It leaves the club desperately trying to keep things afloat both on and off the field.
Wigan currently sit rock-bottom of the ChampionshipCredit: Rex More

USAIN BOLT was a surprise spectator for the mini El Lanclasico between Blackburn and Burnley to leave fans stunned.The eight-time Jamaican Olympic gold medallist, 36, is well-known for his love of the beautiful game.
Usain Bolt was at Old Trafford on Sunday to watch Man UtdCredit: Instagram / @manchesterunited
The legendary Jamaican then surprised everyone with the match he attended the next dayCredit: PA
He even landed himself a trial with the Central Coast Mariners in 2018 following his retirement from running, although it didn’t come to much.
Bolt has been a regular attendee at Old Trafford, the home of his beloved Manchester United.
And he was in the North West this weekend as he watched United defeat Fulham 3-1 in the FA Cup – a result he eerily predicted.
However, footy fans from far and wide were left shocked to discover that the much-loved sprint legend had dropped by to take in a junior game at Blackburn.
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They shared a snap of him with their U15 side as they revealed that Bolt had “paid us a surprise visit” to see them take on bitter local rivals Burnley.
One fan responded: “Winner of most random thing of the day goes to Usain Bolt.”
Another asked: “How did this come about? A weird one.”
A fellow fan said: “A bit random.”
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While another went further and begged him: “Usain, buy Rovers.”
Olympic hero Bolt met current United gaffer Erik ten Hag and legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson during Sunday’s visit to Old Trafford.
And he will be back there in June for Soccer Aid as captain of World XI.
The Jamaican unsuccessfully tried to forge a football career after retiring from sprintingCredit: PA
Bolt played several trial matches for Central Coast Mariners in AustraliaCredit: AFP or licensors More

WIGAN have been deducted three points after failing to pay their players and staff for a fourth time. The Championship club are in a relegation battle but also face ongoing issues off the pitch with their finances.
Wigan have failed to pay their players four times this seasonCredit: Rex
The EFL have confirmed that the Latics have now been hit with a penalty over the repeated non-payment of wages.
The three point deduction means Wigan are now bottom of the Championship with 31 points, eight points away from safety.
The EFL also revealed that Wigan’s owner will be charged with misconduct.
An EFL statement said: “Wigan Athletic has, with immediate effect, been deducted three points from the 2022/23 Championship table after the Club failed to pay player salaries again in March 2023.
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“The Club had previously been charged and sanctioned for failing to adhere to the terms of the Standard Contracts that were in force between the Club and its Players in the months of June 2022, July 2022 and October 2022.
“Separately, new charges have now been issued to the Club following this latest instance of non-payment of player wages and for not complying with the Agreed Decision.
“The Club’s owner will also be charged with misconduct, with the matter to be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.”
Wigan were taken over in 2021 by Phoenix 2021 Limited, which is led by Bahraini businessman Abdulrahman Al-Jasmi.
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The announcement is the latest blow for Wigan who have been attempting to scrape points together as the season approaches its final weeks.
Shaun Maloney – their third manager of the season after Kolo Toure’s sacking – has only lost three of his 10 games in charge to stop the Latics getting cut adrift.
But there has also only been a single win from that 10 meaning the club remains in the bottom three with only eight games left to save themselves. More

SACKED West Brom boss Steve Bruce is itching for a managerial return.The 62-year-old, who left West Brom last October, wants his son Alex as part of his backroom staff.
Steve Bruce would like to return to managementCredit: Alamy
He would also want to bring his son Alex into his backroom staffCredit: Getty
In January, Bruce had revealed that he was “bordering” on retiring from football management.
However, he is now keen on getting back to work.
Bruce has managed 11 clubs in the Premier League, Championship and League One.
He got both Birmingham City and Hull City promoted to the Prem on two occasions and also guided the latter to the FA Cup final in 2014.
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Bruce’s last stint in the top flight came at Newcastle, who he guided to 13th and 12th-placed finishes in his two full seasons in charge.
Should he get picked up by a club, he would like to bring his son, Alex, into the backroom staff.
He worked with his dad at the Baggies and also left the club at the same time.
The 38-year-old was linked with a backroom role at Middlesbrough but he hopes to emulate his dad and become a manager.
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Since the pair left West Brom, the club have climbed back up the Championship table under the guidance of Carlos Corberán.
The Baggies now sit in ninth place, five points outside of the playoff spots. More

ROTHERHAM’S match with Cardiff was POSTPONED mid-match due to a waterlogged pitch.The sides went into the break with Cardiff 1-0 up after Jaden Philogene’s opener.
Players were taken off due to the waterlogged pitchCredit: Rex
Ground staff were hard at work
The game was ultimately called off
At the interval the pitch was dry but by the time the players returned from the dressing rooms, it was completely sodden following torrential rain.
After just a few minutes, the referee took the sides off until the rain stopped.
Ground staff were hard at work to try and relieve some of the flooding on the grass.
The game failed to resume after a further inspection took place at 4.45pm.
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Rival fans took aim at the Championship ground for not standing up the pouring rain.
One said: “Rotherham fans should be embarrassed that their pitch can’t handle rain. Championship club.”
Another added: “Should be relegated for that. Joke for a Championship outfit.”
One joked: “Supposed to be a championship club and your pitch can’t handle some rain absolute joke.”
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Another fumed: “What a joke of a club.”
After a lengthy wait, Rotherham confirmed the match was officially called off.
A statement read: “Rotherham United’s game with Cardiff City has been postponed following a torrential downpour of rain which left the field of play waterlogged in the 48th minute.”
The game is now due to be replayed, with the score returning to 0-0, despite Cardiff leading at the time. More