Frank Lampard clashes with Sunderland fan after Coventry City defeat in Championship play-off semi-final
A Sunderland fan tried to take a selfie with Frank Lampard after Coventry City’s defeat (AMA/Getty) Frank Lampard was involved in an altercation with a Sunderland supporter in the aftermath of Coventry City’s Championship play-off semi-final defeat on Tuesday night. Ephron Mason-Clark scored for Coventry in the 76th minute to take the match to extra time at the Stadium of Light. But with a penalty shootout looming, it was Sunderland who booked their place at Wembley with Dan Ballard’s last-gasp header. The Cats, who were relegated from the Premier League in 2017, will now play Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final on May 24. Lampard, meanwhile, was involved in a brief clash with a Sunderland fan moments after the final whistle as a supporter attempted to get a selfie with the Coventry City manager. Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. The Sunderland fan, who was part of the huge pitch invasion, attempted to hold up his phone whilst stood next to Lampard before the former Chelsea and England midfielder pushed his arm aside. Coventry’s players and staff then intervened to ensure that the situation did not escalate. A Sunderland fan attempts to get a selfie with Frank Lampard as his Coventry side lose the playoff semi-final… pic.twitter.com/rTSij53X3d— Vivek (@Vibe__Vault_) May 13, 2025 Speaking after his side’s defeat, Lampard described the result as the cruelest moment he has experienced during his career. ‘That’s the biggest example I think I’ve probably been involved in,’ Lampard said. ‘Firstly, congratulations to Sunderland, they go to the final. But, I’ve got immense pride in my players, over the two games, we dominated at home and dominated huge periods of this game. ‘Where we’ve come from, 17th in the league in December, the players have been brilliant in the second half of the season. We’re competing with the parachute teams in terms of where we finish. Frank Lampard described Coventry City’s defeat as ‘cruel’ (PA) ‘We came here with absolute bravery to play the way we play. They had to concede to us because of the way we played, the way the lads controlled the game. They don’t deserve it, the players. I’m a lot older, I’ve been around a lot, so I’ve taken whacks and I’ve had success. ‘I suppose I can be maybe a tiny bit more balanced in my job, but for those players, they don’t deserve that. So, congratulations to Sunderland. We’re not bitter, but we were the better team over the two football matches. Absolutely clear. That’s why they’ll be so happy that they won that game. They’re going to Wembley, but in a football sense massive pride. ‘I can’t ask for any more. I’m so disappointed for the club, for the fans, the owner and the players. Once the dust settles, I cannot be disappointed with the way they play. ‘You work every day with them and they take on information and they’re together in the group even at the end on the pitch. So, you know, football. Sunderland will play Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final on May 24 (Getty) ‘I didn’t have to say much to them because the players were doing it. They owned it on the pitch. They owned it up until extra-time. ‘They owned it the second half. It was like the crowd was dead quiet. They understood that a team was coming and taking control on their home place. ‘It’s cruel. But I can’t think of anything but pride for the season and for tonight. ‘We wanted to go to Wembley. But sometimes the gods conspire against you in certain ways. ‘We want the squad to get stronger. The players have shown what they can do, that they can compete. The fans deserve it at this football club. ‘I think that they’ll be going home tonight proud of their players, their support. And, yeah, I’m just disappointed for them that they don’t get a trip to Wembley.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Frank Lampard was involved in an altercation with a Sunderland supporter in the aftermath of Coventry City’s Championship play-off semi-final defeat on Tuesday night.
Ephron Mason-Clark scored for Coventry in the 76th minute to take the match to extra time at the Stadium of Light.
But with a penalty shootout looming, it was Sunderland who booked their place at Wembley with Dan Ballard’s last-gasp header.
The Cats, who were relegated from the Premier League in 2017, will now play Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final on May 24.
Lampard, meanwhile, was involved in a brief clash with a Sunderland fan moments after the final whistle as a supporter attempted to get a selfie with the Coventry City manager.
Get personalised updates on Chelsea every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
The Sunderland fan, who was part of the huge pitch invasion, attempted to hold up his phone whilst stood next to Lampard before the former Chelsea and England midfielder pushed his arm aside.
Coventry’s players and staff then intervened to ensure that the situation did not escalate.
Speaking after his side’s defeat, Lampard described the result as the cruelest moment he has experienced during his career.
‘That’s the biggest example I think I’ve probably been involved in,’ Lampard said.
‘Firstly, congratulations to Sunderland, they go to the final. But, I’ve got immense pride in my players, over the two games, we dominated at home and dominated huge periods of this game.
‘Where we’ve come from, 17th in the league in December, the players have been brilliant in the second half of the season. We’re competing with the parachute teams in terms of where we finish.
‘We came here with absolute bravery to play the way we play. They had to concede to us because of the way we played, the way the lads controlled the game. They don’t deserve it, the players. I’m a lot older, I’ve been around a lot, so I’ve taken whacks and I’ve had success.
‘I suppose I can be maybe a tiny bit more balanced in my job, but for those players, they don’t deserve that. So, congratulations to Sunderland. We’re not bitter, but we were the better team over the two football matches. Absolutely clear. That’s why they’ll be so happy that they won that game. They’re going to Wembley, but in a football sense massive pride.
‘I can’t ask for any more. I’m so disappointed for the club, for the fans, the owner and the players. Once the dust settles, I cannot be disappointed with the way they play.
‘You work every day with them and they take on information and they’re together in the group even at the end on the pitch. So, you know, football.
‘I didn’t have to say much to them because the players were doing it. They owned it on the pitch. They owned it up until extra-time.
‘They owned it the second half. It was like the crowd was dead quiet. They understood that a team was coming and taking control on their home place.
‘It’s cruel. But I can’t think of anything but pride for the season and for tonight.
‘We wanted to go to Wembley. But sometimes the gods conspire against you in certain ways.
‘We want the squad to get stronger. The players have shown what they can do, that they can compete. The fans deserve it at this football club.
‘I think that they’ll be going home tonight proud of their players, their support. And, yeah, I’m just disappointed for them that they don’t get a trip to Wembley.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
