FRANK LAMPARD is demanding guarantees over the safety of Coventry City’s players at Hillsborough on Saturday.
The Sky Blues’ chief says he has every sympathy with Sheffield Wednesday’s plight but insists that the security of his squad is paramount.
Coventry boss Frank Lampard is demanding guarantees over the safety of his playersGeorge Tewkesbury/Shutterstock
Sheffield Wednesday fans are planning an on-pitch protest against owner Dejphon ChansiriGeorge Wood/Getty Images
Coventry have opened discussions with their opponents over the protocol in place amid rumours that Owls’ supporters are planning an on-pitch protest against owner Dejphon Chansiri’s running of the club.
Lampard said: “The first thing to say is that I’ve got a lot of sympathy with their fans because Sheffield Wednesday is a big football club.
“I’m not completely across the story, but I do understand their emotions. I get it.
“But I have to think about Coventry City and my players and I’m hearing people might be coming onto the pitch.
“We haven’t had massive clarity yet – but conversations are ongoing over our player security. And we want that communicating to us.
“We’re aware what may be coming and I think it’s important to lay that out because I’m protecting Coventry in this situation.”
Lampard said he will be talking to his own squad about the possibility of unrest but equally says it is important to focus on the game.
He added: “The problem at this stage is that something may happen, nothing may happen. And that’s the best situation. That nothing does and the game runs.
“If something does, then we’ll deal with it as we go. If the game gets broken, we’ll deal with that, in hand.
“You expect that security will be taken care of at their end. But there are lots of unknowns at this stage.”
Coventry go into this after dishing out a four-goal thumping to Millwall at the New Den in midweek.
They lie second and are the division’s top scorers.
Lampard added: “This is a particularly challenging test for us – firstly because of the challenging nature of the Championship.
“But secondly because Wednesday are towards the bottom of the league, they’re fighting for everything and their last few results have been good.
“There is a lot going on around the club – it’s a sideshow to the football – but it’s important.”
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