Sheffield Wednesday beat Leeds 3-0 in the penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw
While the relationship between Sheffield Wednesday supporters and owner Dejphon Chansiri may be strained, Owls boss Henrik Pedersen highlighted the “togetherness” of his young squad as a point of pride following their Carabao Cup upset against Leeds on Tuesday.
Wednesday fans have voiced their discontent with the Thai businessman after a turbulent summer, during which the club has failed to pay wages on time for a third successive month, and faced sanctions from the EFL.
Protests against Chansiri were evident during Wednesday’s Championship opener against Leicester, and continued for the Leeds match as thousands of supporters chose to boycott the game.
Instead, many followed the action at designated watch parties in pubs and clubs, witnessing a spirited and determined performance from a youthful Wednesday side.
The Owls’ challenging summer meant they began the season with only 12 senior players. Against Leeds, they fielded a team featuring four 20-year-olds and five teenagers, resulting in an average age of 21.
Despite their youth, there was no discernible gap in quality between them and their Premier League opponents as Sheffield Wednesday secured a 3-0 penalty shootout victory after a 1-1 draw.
“Really, really proud,” Pedersen told Sky Sports post-match. “The way they stayed together, I’m just proud.
“They stepped up so much in a game like this, nobody could see that coming, so big respect to our boys.”
For former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, covering the game for BBC Radio 5 live, the sense of unity extended to the fans as well.
“There’s an incredible story unfolding at the club at the moment,” he observed.
“Many supporters decided to stay away from the stadium but showed solidarity with those who attended.
“They’ve finally taken a stand, objecting to the way the owner and club are being run.
“The supporters are united, the players are united, and tonight’s performance embodied that togetherness.”
There were thousands of empty seats at Hillsborough for the Carabao Cup second-round match between Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds
Owls fans are hoping for Chansiri to sell the club, but supporters fear that may not happen in the near future.
As a result, they have been staging visible and vocal protests against the ownership.
In their opening Championship game against Leicester, a banner reading ‘Enough is Enough’ was displayed. Furthermore, two weeks ago, fans organised a mock funeral procession with a coffin symbolising “the death of the football club.”
The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust urged fans on their website, external to boycott the match and instead donate the cost of their tickets to Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.
“I can’t recall many Sheffield Wednesday against Leeds games played in a Hillsborough stadium quite like this,” commented Alistair Bruce-Ball of BBC Radio 5 live, who was at the game.
“The protest tonight took the form of staying away from the game.
“I’m fairly certain the Leeds fans, numbering around 3,000, may well outnumber the home support.
“The North stand [was] closed tonight, as is the East stand. Home fans are only present in the lower tier of the South stand.”
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BBC Radio Sheffield reporter Rob Staton noted that many fans have been “torn” regarding the protest.
“If fans don’t attend this game, they can’t attend away games, where the larger protests are taking place,” he added.
“Many people have purchased tickets for this game without attending, simply to accrue points for away games.”
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