Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham has praised Charlton fans for their protests during Sunday’s game against Middlesbrough.

The former Stoke defender worked at the game for Sky and commended supporters for getting their message across.

Charlton fans have been protesting against owner Roland Duchatelet for most of the season and their actions, including throwing inflatable balls on to the pitch in the 2-0 win over Boro, received worldwide coverage.

Higginbotham, 37, told News Shopper: “I didn't think there was anything wrong with the protests. 

“At the end of the day, I always say, players and managers come and go but without supporters, a football club is going to be very little. 

“Charlton fans were well within their rights - they never crossed the line at all, apart from that one pitch invader, everything was done in the correct way.

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“If they think they're at a point where they've had enough and they're not being heard, supporters will voice their opinion because it’s their football club.

“As a neutral myself, I didn't come away and think ‘those protests were out of order.’”

Duchatelet has appointed six managers in just over two years since arriving in SE7 and that instability is among the many reasons why fans are angry.

Higginbotham insists stability is vital at any football club.

He said: “It's something that’s been going on for a while now and as much as the club need stability, the supporters want it as well. 

“You're not going to be successful unless you have that within a football club - that means a manager being around for a long time. 

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“From the outside looking in, when you've had so many managers and a turnover of players, you're never going to get stability like that.

“As soon as you get it, the more chance there is of having success on the pitch. 

“On Sunday, you saw what the team can be capable of and they shouldn't be in the position that they're in because it was a fantastic performance against one of the best Championship sides.”

The ex-Manchester United and Southampton player, who also made three appearances for Gibraltar, has been working as a football pundit for Sky since the start of the season.

While enjoying his new TV career path, Higginbotham admits it was hard to commentate on the Charlton game with most of the action going on off the pitch.

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He added: “It was a tough one to do as it became a little bit difficult because, at times, the most important thing for the fans wasn't actually what was happening on the pitch.

“So, to a certain extent, the football was secondary because you never knew what was going to happen next.

“They had the black and white beach balls and whistles which became a bit difficult for the referee - but the fans got their point of view across and their message was clear.

“The supporters pay good money to go and watch their team and have a right to voice their opinion - that’s what it’s all about.”