'It wasn’t an easy thing to do' - Fresh reaction given to Sheffield Wednesday fan action v Chansiri | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit has given his verdict on the on-field protest against Coventry City

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Sheffield Wednesday’s clash with Coventry City was temporarily suspended last weekend as fans came onto the pitch in protest against the owner Dejphon Chansiri.

The Thai businessman has become a very unpopular figure at Hillsborough because of his total mismanagement of the club’s financial position.

The Owls are at risk of a significant points deduction due to multiple instances of breaching the EFL’s finance rules.

Players have gone unpaid on time on multiple occasions since March, including in September.

Supporters are urging Chansiri to sell his stake in the Championship side, who are struggling both on and off the pitch as a result of these issues behind the scenes.

Sheffield Wednesday fans praised for Coventry protest

When asked about the protest last weekend, FLW’s Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit Patrick McKenna praised the actions of those who went onto pitch.

He believes the small number who participated isn’t important because of the significance that anyone did it at all, and that the media attention it gained is enough to call it a success.

“I just have to say an absolute well done to everyone who went on the pitch,” McKenna told Football League World.

“It wasn’t an easy thing to do to be the first people on the pitch because of the associated risks that do come with it, such as arrest and stadium bans, which may have an influence on your job and your personal life.

“But these people stood up and went on and I have nothing but admiration for them.

“I don’t think the numbers are the issue here, to be honest.

“I wasn’t expecting for a first protest like this loads on the pitch, but this could be a starting point.

“The fans went on the pitch, it did happen.

“It has gone out, got media attention, so the protest worked.

“So I think you have to look at it in a positive manner, instead of thinking there could’ve been more, celebrate the fact that people did go on the pitch and who’s to say there won’t be further on pitch protests with bigger numbers.”

McKenna believes that waiting until the derby clash against Sheffield United for further protests would be misguided, and he’s glad to see work being put in for the Middlesbrough game later this month: “So, as regards to saving it for a big protest against Sheffield United, no I wouldn’t agree with that.

“I think we just have to keep the protests going every game, and certainly have something big organised against Sheffield United, but we can’t leave it until then.

“In fact, now we’ve seen that there is a protest of the Middlesbrough game called, so that is something for the fans to work on, and something to focus on.

“Keep the protests going, and just well done to everyone who has taken part so far.”

Sheffield Wednesday are 23rd in the Championship table going into the October international break following their 5-0 loss to Coventry last weekend.

The Owls have earned just six points from their opening nine fixtures, leaving them one point outside of the relegation zone and only above Sheffield United in the standings.

Next up for Henrik Pedersen’s side is a trip to face Charlton Athletic on 18 October after the international period.

Sheffield Wednesday fans are putting good pressure on Dejphon Chansiri

Chansiri has shown he is incapable of running Sheffield Wednesday anymore, and fans are making their voices heard in protest against his ownership.

Getting the Coventry game temporarily suspended helps get their message across as it is the kind of action that will garner media attention.

The sooner that a sale can be agreed the better, and putting pressure like this on Chansiri will force his hand into selling quickly before the club’s value decreases further.

It’s difficult for fans to boycott their own team, but that being the next step goes to show how serious the protests against Chansiri are at this stage.