Sheffield Wednesday have to pay their players by Monday or face a three-transfer window embargo ahead of their trip to Lancashire.
The Owls face Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night, in a battle of two clubs engulfed in ownership problems. Ewood Park could again be a toxic atmosphere as Rovers fans continued their protests against Venky's.
They may well be joined by the travelling contingent from Hillsborough after owner Dejphon Chansiri could offer no reassurances of when the missing wage would be paid.
If it's not by the end of play on Monday, April 7, then Wednesday will be unable to sign any players, permanently or on loan, for a transfer fee until January 2027.
READ MORE: Toxic Ewood Park send clear message as Blackburn Rovers civil war rages on
On a rolling period from July 1 until June 30 each year, EFL clubs are punished by way of a fine after a 20-day delinquency on debts owed to HMRC and on player wages. That punishment extends to a far more serious three-window registration ban after a 30-day tally is reached.
Chansiri has previously been late with payments due to cashflow issues and is waiting on money owed to settle his debts at the club.
"I cannot tell you when, but of course, I want to pay. Friday is what I want, but if it is not Friday then I cannot do more," Chansiri told The Sheffield Star.
"It could be Monday. It can come any minute. I spoke with them (those who owe him money), they said they are trying to do it. It is normal. It is a domino effect or something like this.
"When you do business, you understand any company is short on cashflow or they do not get paid, it is normal is business. I do my best to solve everything.
"It is mainly the players, it may impact them less, but other people we pay. Our more senior (non-football staff), we pay some, but it is just a few senior people who we paid some.
"I am never going to make any excuse. I am wrong. I am sorry for that. I have not paid them and I am wrong. But it is never my intention, I try. Even in the situation with no revenue, in Covid, I tried.
"People know me. They know I do not like to owe anyone money. I do not like to create trouble for anybody. I tried everything my best to do it."
