Lots of Sunderland fans have noticed something sinister about the club statement released on Tuesday, as many Black Cats supporters felt the club were dishonest in their comments.
The club announced on their official site that Stewart Donald intends to sell the club and that the process of doing so has already begun.
The statement details how several supporter groups issued their wish for Donald and the current board to leave after the Boxing Day draw against Bolton Wanderers, and appears to paint said fans as the bad guys.
It even goes so far as to say the supporters’ protest against Donald ‘was not obviously conducive to the immediate improvement of the first team squad and as a result, the club’s chances of promotion,’ as if to imply that the players are performing poorly due to the negative atmosphere created by fans.
Of course, this has caused quite the stir on social media, with plenty of the Stadium of Light faithful picking up on the backhanded tone of the club’s comments.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Utterly outrageous statement by #safc and Stewart Donald on sale of the club. Blatant bid to put blame onto fan groups for being ‘forced’ to sell up. Donald tried to sell to Mark Campbell and FPP in summer so to suggest he is now only selling due to fan pressure is disingenuous
— Ross Gregory (@rossgregory9) January 7, 2020
100% this. It’s petulant, childish and shows complete contempt for the entire fan base whilst trying to divide us.
— Jon Place 🍊 (@JonathanPlace1) January 7, 2020
Stewart Donald blaming the fans for ‘forcing’ him to sell after he has been trying for 9 months. It wasn’t just because we were near the bottom of the third tier. Here are many more reasons why many #safc fans have had enough by @christoph_21 https://t.co/3W9NwjKry4
— Paul (@AccountantPaul) January 7, 2020
With statements like that where he is clearly apportioning blame to the supporters, I think those that were privy to what was said should release that information.
— keith coundon (@Keiith_C_1971) January 7, 2020
He’s been desperate to sell the club for months and has came close on a few occasions. Now he’s trying to make out like he’s only selling because of the fans complaining.
Just wants everyone to feel sorry for him in every statement he makes!— Mark Wraith (@MarkWraith) January 7, 2020
The fans proved over the Christmas period they are fully behind the team. Maybe Donald should have gone to Doncaster & experienced the club at its best! Instead he’s not interested. This statement is another example of contempt for fans and #Donaldout not understanding #safc
— Neil Graney (@neil_graney) January 7, 2020
Sunderland fans, is Donald doing the right thing by leaving? Join the discussion in the comments below…
