West Brom: Action for Albion planning protest for upcoming clash v Queens Park Rangers
West Brom fans’ group Action for Albion will stage a protest against Guochuan Lai at Monday’s clash against QPR, according to BBC Sport.
Club supporters are encouraged to join the group in delaying their entry and attendance at The Hawthorns until 12 minutes into the match, the report reveals.
Chinese chairman Lai had promised that the £4.95m loan he took out in 2021, plus interest, will be paid back after already missing multiple repayment deadlines, which has come as a source of much frustration to the club’s fans and supporters groups.
And according to BBC Sport [8 April] the 12-minute figure represents the sum of millions that has been taken out in loans around the club.
Protest organiser Ali Jones stated, via the report: “We have to act. We have no choice.
“We had an emergency meeting of the committee and needed something quick and easy.
“People recognise this ownership model is ruining the football club. We have to find a way to show West Brom are in serious trouble. It is that stark.”
Must continue
Lai’s continued incompetence and lack of transparency have left West Brom in serious jeopardy right now, a position which could prove damaging to the club’s long-term future.
For that reason, the protests must continue as the fans’ voices desperately need to be heard. The fact that the Chinese chairman hasn’t come out and addressed any of the issues is what’s making matters worse.
Fans have to hear rumours and news from third parties rather than the horse’s mouth which is incredibly concerning.
There really is no trust and confidence from the West Brom faithful and the club’s other shareholders in Lai’s ownership and something has seriously got to give because these failed loan repayments just reek of a businessman not understanding what business and loaning money are.
To have auditors stating they don’t believe the owner is going to pay back the loans he took out really does not inspire confidence and Lai’s continued and needless silence is what’s leading to all this unrest and anger within the whole club. The protests have to go on.
In other West Brom news, a defender may never feature for the club again after what happened and may even leave for free.