Charlton manager Karl Robinson says he respects boycotting fans ahead of the club’s 25th anniversary game against Portsmouth on Saturday.
Some Addicks supporters have vowed never to attend another home game until unpopular owner Roland Duchatelet sells up.
Charlton will have their biggest attendance of the season when they house more than 16,500 people at the Valley to celebrate their return to SE7.
But anti-Duchatelet fans are expected to stay away.
Robinson told News Shopper: “I’ve always said I respect them. I know they’re big fans, and the reason I know is because they’re not coming because they believe so passionately in their club.
“So you never have a divine right in life to judge people’s decision-making. It’s their opportunity to decide.
“There was a man I met at a Bromley Addicks event when I first came to the club, and he told me he’d never come back - and he’s told me he still hasn't come back - but says it’s hurting him more and more.
“But he has a belief in something and I respect that. He’s a tremendous man.
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“I get it, I wish it wasn't the case. I want all the fans to be happy. I’ve never hid that. I’ve stayed neutral.
“A fan is entitled to say, do, shout, scream, be silent, do whatever they decide to do when they pay their money and become a fan.
“You don't have to pay to watch to become a fan, you have a divine right to make a decision and judgement and what you want for your football club.
“I’ll never ever dismiss that. They need to understand we’re proud to be associated with their club. That’s all I can say.
“Hopefully one day, together, we’ll fight many, many great battles. That’s got to be my objective one day.”
The Addicks were forced out of their home in 1985 and had to groundshare with Crystal Palace and West Ham for seven years until returning to the Valley.
And so Saturday will be a special day for everyone associated with Charlton.
But Robinson has warned his promotion-chasing players to play the game, not the occasion.
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He added: “There are two things at the weekend - there’s the anniversary and there’s the game. We have a game to win.
“It’s important we conduct ourselves well. Portsmouth will come full of optimism bringing a large following and it’ll be an intense atmosphere.
“The Valley was built for intense days and high-spirited affairs and we were brought back to have an identity.
“The DNA of Charlton fans hasn't changed, the way they support has never wavered. We’ve had difficulties, obviously.
“Regardless of people coming or watching from afar, there’s still the same passion from this football club and we’ve got to make sure we play the game.”
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