Charlton fans to resume protests against 'incapable' owner Roland Duchatelet

Protests: Charlton fans are planning to voice their opinions about owner Roland Duchatelet
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Giuseppe Muro14 October 2016

Charlton fans plan to resume protests against owner Roland Duchatelet at tomorrow’s game against Coventry after labelling him “incapable of running the club”.

Many supporters want Duchatelet to sell the club and will stage their first organised demonstration of the season at The Valley.

The Coalition Against Roland Duchatelet (CARD) rejected an offer to meet Charlton chief executive Katrien Meire ahead of the game to discuss their concerns.

Charlton fans will march in protest against Duchatelet before the game, while CARD have encouraged supporters to buy tickets in the lower west stand near the directors’ box, where Meire has been a target for abuse during matches.

Charlton owner: Roland Duchatelet
Rex

A CARD spokesman said: “Meire has had two-and-a half years to talk but at this stage words are cheap. The evidence remains that the ownership is incapable of running the club in a competent and professional way. Nothing she could say to us at this stage would have any credibility. The only way forward is for Duchatelet to sell up and go.”

In response, the club said today the door had been left open if CARD decided to change their mind on a meeting. A Charlton spokesperson added: "Katrien Meire wrote to CARD last week to invite them to meet to talk about working together to find the best way to help the club move forward. CARD declined the invitation. We are disappointed that CARD have declined the opportunity to meet. However, the door is open if they do decide to change their mind on meeting.

"During her time at Charlton Athletic Katrien Meire has attended more than 30 official fans meetings of which many CARD members were invited to and attended. Engaging with fans is a top priority of the club and this season Katrien Meire is meeting official fan groups before kick-off on match days.

“Roland Duchatelet has invested more than £38m in Charlton Athletic, including investment in the long-term future of the club. Phase II of the four-phased, multi-million pound redevelopment of the club’s Sparrows Lane training ground began this week.”

On the protests the Charlton Athletic spokesperson said: “We have an important game on Saturday and need everyone behind the team to help us secure three points. We have a strong squad and while we have started slowly there is a long way to go this season and the players need the support of everybody at the club.”

Charlton are 18th in League One and without a win in seven matches.

Fans staged a mock funeral procession at The Valley before a match last season. They also disrupted another game by throwing beach balls onto the pitch.

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