Sheffield Wednesday’s game against Coventry City came to a stop as a few fans rushed onto the Hillsborough pitch to demonstrate against the team’s ownership situation. The club, led by Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri, is facing severe financial challenges.
The players of Wednesday have not received payment for five out of the last seven months, with financial difficulties leading to the skipping of the September payday. This non-payment is likely to lead to further penalties from the EFL, as the club has already been subjected to various restrictions in the past seven months.
Moreover, there is a looming threat of a points deduction for Sheffield Wednesday, who are currently situated in the relegation zone of the Championship. Chansiri has expressed his willingness to sell the club, but negotiations with potential buyers, including former Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor, have hit a standstill.
While concerns existed about potential player actions such as boycotting training and matches, manager Henrik Pedersen confirmed that such measures had not been taken yet. However, discontent among Wednesday supporters remains evident, with many fans refraining from making any purchases within the stadium and low attendance at recent home cup matches.
During the match against Coventry, a small group of fans stormed the pitch after 10 minutes, leading referee Adam Herczeg to temporarily suspend the game. After a brief pause, the match resumed with Coventry leading 1-0. Coventry manager Frank Lampard expressed understanding towards the Sheffield Wednesday fans’ plight but emphasized his primary concern for player safety.
Pedersen stated, “We have not discussed it, but I am aware of the situation. We understand the frustration and support peaceful protests, hoping for the safety of the fans.”
In other news, Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports package ahead of the 2025/26 season, offering savings of £336 and access to over 1,400 live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL. Sky will broadcast a minimum of 215 live Premier League matches next season, a significant increase from the previous coverage.
