Sunderland fans have been left worried and confused after a potential investment group released a statement today saying they are in discussions to buy a stake in the club.
Sunderland shareholders Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven are in discussions to sell their stake in the club to a cryptocurrency group named The Fans Together. Donald and Methven have a 39 percent stake in Sunderland, while Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Sunderland’s chairman, owns 41 percent of the club, and Juan Sartori owns 20 percent.
It was reported by the Athletic that representatives of The Fans Together have been guests of the board during Sunderland’s play-off run. However, a statement published on the group's website today confirming it is in discussions has caused concern among fans.
READ MORE: Group issues statement about buying stake in Sunderland
The statement said: "The Fans Together, an organisation dedicated to bringing large scale widespread fan ownership to reality, confirms it is in discussions with Stewart Donald and Charlie Methven to acquire all of their 39% stake in Sunderland AFC.
"In Sunderland, we have deliberately chosen a club with a large fanbase that is in a sound financial state and we are keen to work with existing shareholders to continue to build on the momentum achieved through the recent promotion to the Championship.
"While discussions are ongoing, we are unable to provide further information at this moment in time, however we will update fans and wider stakeholders as soon as possible.”
There was no explanation about how sufficient funds could be raised for fans to own a stake in Sunderland. Instead the statement left fans confused about what the group was and what their intentions are.
@BeerDrummer tweeted: "They deal in crypto currency’s, whatever that is . Sounds like they’ll buy shares and flog them to us ? I’m lost and not impressed."
@TerryHobkirk wrote: "I was really looking forward to the new season a few hours ago. Now i hate life."
@LionelSpeccy said: "A don’t get it tbh, so what are they going to do?"
@samrichardson26 added: "Surely this isn't serious?"
@calpatty22 wrote: "They do realise Sunderland isn’t in London don’t they? We aren’t exactly rolling in cash up here. I can barely afford to put petrol in the car never mind invest in my team when we need to sign a player ffs."
@GillissWayne felt similarly: "And wheres the money coming from for investment? Am not sure the copper in my cars cup holder will help."
@TheRingWalk tweeted: "Thay all sounds great in theory but can these people actually fund the club??"
@notch_32 said: "What on earth is this?"
While @GazJFisher simply wrote: "This sounds terrible, not gonna lie."
