Sheffield Wednesday boss on fans, behind-closed-doors and the ongoing EFL charge

Sheffield Wednesday manager, Garry Monk, admits that playing without fans is ‘nowhere near as good’ for him or his players, but knows they may not have a choice in the matter…
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As the Coronavirus pandemic continues it has become more and more likely that games in England – like in Germany – will be played behind-closed-doors, and while it’s almost certain that that will be the case for the remainder of 2019/20 if it continues, it could also stretch into the 2020/21 campaign.

Wednesday have nine games left of the current season, Monk’s first in charge, and he revealed recently that a meeting between the managers recently made it clear that everyone wants to try and finish the season if it’s safe to do so.

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The likelihood of fans being able to attend those games is remarkably thin, and while the club waits to decide how to handle the season ticket situation for those that will miss out, Monk is aware of how it will be inside an empty Hillsborough.

Speaking to local reporters in an online press briefing this week, he explained, "It is not ideal and it is not what we want, but it seems to be - not just for these nine games - that it might be a necessity moving forwards.

"I just think that is the reality of the world that we are going to live in for the foreseeable future… I think we all know that without the fans in the stadium it is nowhere near as good. It is not what you live for but it is what it is. It is the unknown. We don't know how long this is going to last.

"It is very clear fans need to be in football stadiums but football also needs to continue like life needs to continue. I think that is the steps that they are trying to take now and we will see where that takes us really.”

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Garry Monk knows it won't be the same without Sheffield Wednesday fans... (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)Garry Monk knows it won't be the same without Sheffield Wednesday fans... (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
Garry Monk knows it won't be the same without Sheffield Wednesday fans... (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, regarding the ongoing case with the EFL – which relates to the details of the sale of Hillsborough to chairman, Dejphon Chansiri – Monk admitted that he’s heard no more about matters.

He told reporters, “I have been in regular contact with the club, but nothing has been talked about in that sense. I haven't heard anything about that. The focus has really been on all the protocols and how we return.

"We waited so long for stronger guidance in terms of the 25th but there has obviously been other things going on like updating the players. Nothing has been mentioned to me from the club about the pending charge or what is going on with that.”

The Owls – who will return to training on May 25th - face a possible points deduction that could greatly affect their league position, and their status in the Championship, though there doesn’t seem to be a definite end in sight as the case drags on.