Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United met in an all-Yorkshire clash – but Sky Sports camera couldn’t help but pick up the thousands of empty seats at Hillsborough
20:33, 26 Aug 2025Updated 20:33, 26 Aug 2025
Two stands at Hillsborough were empty(Image: X)
Sheffield Wednesday fans have voted with their feet.
The Owls, with a youthful side, bested Bolton Wanderers in the first round of the Carabao Cup – earning them a second round clash with Yorkshire rivals Leeds United. However, there would be no fans at Hillsborough for the clash.
In the background of the game is Wednesday’s ongoing battle with their owner: Dejphon Chansiri. And on Tuesday evening, Wednesday fans voted with their feet – staying away from the Carabao Cup clash.
The boycott started after their win over with Bolton, the Owls’ Supporters’ Trust went about polling their members over whether they should call for a total boycott of the Leeds fixture.
An incredible 82 per cent voted in favour.
Sheffield Wednesday fans are protesting against their owner(Image: X)
The he Trust had already called for fans not to spend another penny in the ground on food, drink or merchandise – aiming to attack the pockets of Chansiri and force him into a sale.
However, they had refrained from advising people not to attend games. That all changed with the poll.
And Wednesday fans responded in force, voting with their feet leaving two stands of the famous old Hillsborough Stadium empty in plain view of the Sky Sports TV cameras.
Two stands were full of fans – including the Leeds away end(Image: X)
Earlier this month, Matt Harris, an avid Sheffield Wednesday fan, told Daily Star Sport : “We don’t need a perfect owner. You just need to be a competent owner.”
Fans say there is no long-term strategy, despite repeatedly asking what the plan is. “He says he doesn’t need one, and we don’t need to know.”
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“We just want someone normal who can steady the ship and put a proper plan in place. We are the bedrock of this club. At the moment, he’s driving fans away.”
Wednesday’s protest was met with praise from rival fans on social media.