BREAKING: Sheffield Wednesday vs Coventry SUSPENDED after pitch invasion protest

Sheffield Wednesday’s clash with Coventry City was halted after a handful of fans invaded the Hillsborough pitch to protest the club’s ownership. The Owls are in dire straits under the stewardship of Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri.

Wednesday’s players have not been paid for five of the last seven months, with crippling financial issues meaning pay day for September was missed. That will result in further sanctions from the EFL, having already hit them with multiple embargoes in the last seven months.

There is also the threat of a points deduction with the Owls already in the Championship relegation zone.

Chansiri had indicated he was willing to sell the club, but has yet to reach an agreement with potential new owners. Ex-Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor has reportedly been in talks over a potential purchase, but it is understood those are currently at an impasse.

There had been fears that players could take action by refusing to train and play, but manager Henrik Pedersen confirmed it hadn’t yet reached that point.

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However, Wednesday supporters will continue to make their feelings known. The majority of home fans are boycotting any purchases from the club inside the stadium, while there were near empty stadiums for their two home Carabao Cup clashes.

And Saturday saw a fresh protest when after 10 minutes of the game with Coventry, a small number of fans ran onto the pitch forcing referee Adam Herczeg to temporarily suspend the action.

Coventry manager Frank Lampard expressed his sympathy for the hosts before the game, but did make it clear he was concerned over player welfare.

He said: “The first thing I’d say is I’ve got a lot of sympathy with Sheffield Wednesday fans because I grew up when Sheffield Wednesday was always a big football club, and still is, so I understand their emotions, even though I’m not completely in touch with the story. But I get it.

“But I have to think about Coventry City and my players, and the things I’m hearing about people might come on the pitch, we haven’t had massive clarity on. There are some conversations this morning on our players’ security, their players’ security and what may happen because we’re going there and, as I say, my first concern is us.”

Wednesday boss Pedersen added: "We have not spoken about it but I have heard about it.

"Of course we all understand the frustration and that there is a protest but we also really hope that it can be without risk and with safety for the fans."

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