Coventry City has effectively banned the Coventry Telegraph in response to its campaign calling for the club’s hedge fund owners Sisu Capital to “sell up and go”.
The Trinity Mirror daily has attracted more than 12,000 signatures to its petition backing the campaign in the space of two days. High profile supporters include Times football writer Henry Winter.
Launching the petition, the title said: “We believe that the owners of Coventry City have failed the fans during their time in charge of the club. Attendances, revenues and league positions have all declined during Sisu’s tenure.
“After nine years of failure, it is time for the owners to put the club up for sale so someone can provide the investment and know how needed to take this once-proud club out of decline and put it back on the right course again.”
Coventry City are currently languishing at the bottom of the League One (the third English football division, below the Premier League and Championship).
According to the Coventry Telegraph, sports writers Andy Turner and Alan Poole were informed by text message that they will not be granted access to the club’s management staff or players while it continues to call for owners Sisu to put the club up for sale.
Journalists from the title will also be locked out of today’s weekly pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s away game at Gillingham.
A club spokesperson told the Coventry Telegraph: “The board think it inappropriate that they provide access to any club staff at this point in time.
“It’s not a ‘ban’ – we just can’t offer engagement with the manager/players when the paper’s stance is as it is.”
The Telegraph said it will still be covering all Coventry City matches.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
