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Sheffield Wednesday fans protest against Chansiri with mock funeral, whistles and chants

Sheffield Wednesday fans protest against owner Dejphon Chansiri with a mock funeral, then continued by blowing whistles and sang chants.

Fans, told to dress in black and gold, carried a mock coffin through Hillsborough Park in their march before their 3-0 defeat to Stoke City on Saturday, chanting “Get out of our club” and brought banners/flags/pyro.

Some made the choice to protest by staying inside or outside the ground, most around the ground took part in a whistle protest limited to the first 5 minutes of game for impact without disruption; then to fully support the team. Fans were advised not to invade the pitch.

Overall, the focus was on unity, safety, and fighting for the club’s future.

The DJ inside the ground played such songs as ‘Things Can Only Get Better’, ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ and ‘Moneys Too Tight To Mention’.

The club has endured off-field turmoil, including unpaid wages, registration embargoes, EFL charges, spending restrictions, and the departure of manager Danny Rohl.

Players refused to play in a pre-season friendly against Burnley, but did play their Championship opener, a valiant effort despite losing 2-1 to Leicester, amid protests with fans staying out of the away end until the 5th minute.

The Owls also booked a place into the Second Round of the Carabao Cup with a penalty shootout win over Bolton to offer so hope, setting up a clash with Leeds, all while some debts were settled via Premier League solidarity payments.

The North Stand was briefly closed for safety but reopened just before the first home game of the season, with ended in a 3-0 win for Stoke.

Ian Bennett, chairman of the Supporters Trust, told the BBC: “The symbolism of the coffin is the death of the club and we have the dates on the coffin of 1867 when the club was first formed to 2025.

“We’re hoping people see it’s symbolic of what Mr Chansiri is doing to the club.

“My grandad and dad were Wednesdayites and my daughters and grandkids are. This is my life and it’s absolutely soul destroying what’s happening.”

The Trust have asked its roughly 5,000 members to boycott the Carabao Cup second round tie against Yorkshire rivals Leeds United later this month.

A fan called Shane, said to Yorkshire Live: “It’s disgusting. I’m fed up with it. (Mr Chansiri) has been so pig-headed. The ground is a right wreck. We go to other stadiums around the country and they’re neat and tidy – ours is a mess.”

Another called Ben, said: “I don’t understand what (Mr Chansiri) thinks he is going to gain from it, or how he thinks £100 million is reasonable.

“He might have spent that money, but he is not going to get it back. Why does he think this is going to achieve what he wants?

“I am angry and sad – but the response from the protest, going from Leicster to this, is very positive. The protest encourages me a little bit.”

Aaron, said: “This is going to be my first and last game of the season. The only reason I have come today is for the protest.

“It’s demoralising – I deleted ‘X’ off of my phone because the bad news escalated and got worse and worse.

“I will not be coming back until Chansiri is gone.”

Stoke boss Mark Robins said: “I feel for them because you’ve got a really tough situation with the cost of living crisis and people missing their mortgage payments.

“It must be horrendous for everybody. It can bring you together but it can destroy lives as well. It needs to be sorted out.

“It’s really difficult to give advice in circumstances like this.

“There’s things you can advise but there’s no point because unless you’re inside you don’t know.”

He added, per Sky Sports: “They’ll come through it the other side, no doubt. I loved playing in front of the supporters here. It was far too short from my perspective because I had to retire at the end of that season.

“There is an empathy there because clubs go through these periods in their history – you shouldn’t have to – but unfortunately it happens. Hopefully they’ll come through the other side stronger than they feel now.

“We are really fortunate with our owner. It’s all about that – it’s the ownership of your football club. It’s how they love, nurture and care for it and try and build something.”

Louise Haigh, a Sheffield MP, said: “I stand in full solidarity with those protesting this weekend. It is clear we need a responsible, transparent new owner who will put the club and its fans first, and the EFL must conclude its investigation without delay.

“Having met with Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust several times, I know just how passionate they are about their club.

“The protest at Leicester was one of the most powerful and respectful demonstrations I’ve ever seen from football supporters, a clear message that Wednesday fans will not stand by and watch their club’s future put at risk.

“This is exactly why I am so pleased that the Football Governance Bill, which has now passed into law, will establish an independent regulator, tackle rogue owners, and protect the long-term future of clubs at the heart of their communities.”

Here’s how Twitter users reacted as Sheffield Wednesday fans hold a protest against Chansiri with a mock funeral, whistles and chants…

@AndyJGreaves1: I’m a Blade and I think it’s appalling what’s happening at Hillsborough. The city of Sheffield deserves so much better from both its clubs.

@Sufc_alex07: Boycott the games! All good all these protests but it changes nothing. Don’t turn up, don’t buy tickets. Your going about it the complete wrong way

@Lizrickett: A wee reminder that every bit of energy you put into attacking the fanbase distracts from where all our focus should be – dejphon chansiri. Not all our fans are online, or used to protest but we are better if we stand together. #swfc

@Craig_Foster21: What we need is a just stop oil type protest at Leeds games and next home game, called just stop chansiri where fans go and sit in front of each turn style stopping other fans getting inside #swfc

@theMarkChambers: I can’t understand the logic for Chansiri to keep holding on. Every day that passes, every asset sold, every drop in income, every protest… it all only lowers the value of the club. He’s missed the boat and is now clinging on #swfc

@Mattygibb: All those against the protest for Leeds (H)… I honestly think blindly supporting this side isn’t actually going to help. This, week in – week out, is going to really damage them. We need to come together to support the long term prospects of the club & players #swfc

@jon_wakefield:
Please can all fans remember it’s personal choice how they protest or don’t.
Staying away.
Staying in the park.
Blowing a whistle.
Cheering the team.
We are all Wednesday.
#SWFC

@t_peters32: Today’s attendance of 21,683 was the 12th lowest league attendance, on a Saturday or a Sunday, during the Chansiri era. The last time there was a lower attendance than today’s, in a Championship game played on a Saturday or Sunday, was 13/2/2016. 9 and a half years ago. #swfc

@Markmoorhouse2: I’m Walking Home Now from the Sheffield Wednesday protest. Thousands of l season tickets holders have not renewed & lots are Simply Not going including myself. First time since 1986 I’ve Walked home before the Kickoff. It’s hurt me lots but I’m Not giving Chansiri another penny

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