CRYSTAL Palace co-owner John Textor has slammed fan protest banners as “nonsense” as he questioned the club’s “ultras” and suggested they have divisive motivations.
Eagles supporters have unfurled banners at games criticising the direction of the club under the owners, with one reading, ‘Yanks out’.
Missouri businessman Textor, 58, is also a co-owner of French Ligue 1 side Lyon among other clubs through Eagle Football Holdings Limited.
Textor co-owns Palace with Americans Josh Harris and David Blitzer, and Steve Parish.
“There’s a lot of talk of that but it’s misguided,” Textor told BBC Spot. “I read these banners which are nonsense. I showed up a couple of years ago and I do nothing but support as one of four members of the board and then I see banners which say ‘Textor we don’t trust you’. I don’t care.
“They don’t need to trust me, I’m not running the club.
“People say they want fan ownership and transparency but there’s nothing more transparent than a US public company that reports material contracts within four days.
“They don’t like capitalism apparently in the ultras at Crystal Palace. So I went to talk to them about it. I met them outside Selhurst Park and they said, ‘John, you bought Lyon, are you aware of the politics of your ultras in Lyon?’
“I said, ‘God no, what are they?’
“They said, ‘Well, they are right, and we at Palace are left.’ Well I don’t care, this has nothing to do with football.
“I have an opinion of Crystal Palace and the culture and the fans which I love – but ultras in some clubs…
“I was drawn to this relationship of club and community. It’s organised fan groups which hijack that relationship. Some very smart people in football told me, ‘John, pay attention to the ultras, they can be wonderful, they can be passionate, they can be supportive but make sure you know who your fans are – all of them.’
“I developed a belief that I work for the anonymous fan that I don’t know, and he or she is ten years old and they love the club because their father loves the club. I don’t work for the ultras.”
Textor highlighted his role in improvements to facilities and the playing squad.
Textor said: “I don’t manage Crystal Palace. I’m in a weird spot as a multi-club person. Crystal Palace is my first investment. My boys are in love with the team, I’m in love with the team, I’m in love with the general culture of Crystal Palace.
“Am I as passionate about it? Quietly when I watch the games, but I’m not responsible for it. The collaboration has been great for me. I work very closely with Dougie Freedman and Steve Parish and I pick off the situations.
“When I came in at Crystal Palace, my capital helped them complete the academy, which was Steve’s project which predated me.
“With Doug and Steve’s leadership my capital helped bring Marc Guehi, Michael Olise and a lot of terrific players. I was one of four votes helping to endorse those selections, they weren’t my selections.”
