Angry fans of Charlton Athletic have made their way into the stands of The Valley and gained access to the club's boardroom.

Several hundred visited The Valley on Saturday morning to protest the club's chaotic ownership situation, and around 80 gained access to the ground and boardroom.

The largely peaceful protest even saw the police called to the south-east London stadium after allegations of antisocial behaviour and theft.

 

 

The group of fans occupied the boardroom in protest against the ownership status of the now League One club which was bought by East Street Investments (ESI) in January, but has been mired in controversy ever since.

A group called FansForFans organised the peaceful demonstration outside the stadium on Saturday morning, with an estimated 500 gathering outside the home ground.

A smaller group were pictured inside the boardroom and in the stands and said they not leave until they were formally told to do so or until the owners turned up to meet them.

 

 

The Addicks are currently in the centre of a legal battle between rival parties bidding for control of the club.

Tahnoon Nimber and Matt Southall were behind ESI's takeover at the start of the year, but following an EFL investigation and a very public fallout, Manchester-based businessman Paul Elliot stepped in to buy ESI in June.

Fans in the boardroom displayed a large picture of a £1 coin, along with a banner reading 'Our pound is bigger and better than yours #ESIout'.

Fans also collected pound coins outside the stadium, all to be given to charity, a reference to the £1 ESI reportedly paid to buy the club from Roland Duchatelet, who still actually own the club's stadium and training ground.

In a statement,, Fans4Fans said that some Charlton supporters "will not be leaving [the boardroom] until the current owners of Charlton Athletic Football Club formally request, in person, that we vacate the premises with immediate effect.

"We also request an extensive update on why Paul Elliott has been able to formally lodge an injunction preventing the sale of Charlton Athletic Football Club and when this case is to be heard."

"The actions you have witnessed today are a direct consequence of the failings of the governing bodies that represent all football clubs throughout the English football pyramid."

 

 

In a reported statement from the club, shared on social media, Charlton said: "Everyone at the club respects the fans' passion and right to protest and like the fans everyone at the club wants the club's ownership limbo sorted once and for all."

It went on to say that it supported the fans' cause, it cannot condone some of the "illegal and disrespectful behaviour" from individuals.

This included urinating in sinks at The Valley, stealing alcohol, damaging club property and stealing a games console.

"The club was aware of today's protest and event organisers had kept club staff updated with the plans but unfortunately a few individuals took it too far."

Prospective owner Elliott had his application to take over the League One club rejected on 7 August, when the EFL said three individuals were "subject to a disqualifying condition".

Police were called to Farnell's offices in Hale, Greater Manchester, earlier this month after a number of Charlton supporters gained entry and demanded answers about the running of the club.

Danish businessman Thomas Sandgaard, who is based in the United States, is in talks with various elements of Charlton's complicated ownership structure to try and bring it together into one deal.