Pitch invasion halts Wednesday-Coventry match amid ownership protests

A small group of Sheffield Wednesday supporters invaded the pitch at Hillsborough in the 10th minute of Saturday’s Championship match against Coventry City, pausing play for about five minutes as stewards and security cleared the field. The protest, aimed at owner Dejphon Chansiri, took place amid ongoing unrest at the club over repeated late or missed payments to players and staff and existing disciplinary measures from the English Football League.

Players had already returned to the dugouts when the first protesters entered the centre circle, carrying black and yellow scarves and banners used in wider demonstrations demanding a change of ownership. Estimates of the number of pitch invaders vary between a dozen and larger counts reported by some witnesses, but officials halted the match until the pitch was cleared. Coventry went on to win 3-0, with Brandon Thomas-Asante scoring twice and Haji Wright adding a stoppage-time goal.

The unrest follows months of financial turbulence at the club. Reports indicate first-team players were not paid in September, one of several missed or delayed payments this year, and the EFL has imposed sanctions on Sheffield Wednesday for breaches...