West Brom: Planned protest against Guochuan Lai for final home game v Norwich scrapped
A planned fan protest against the West Brom ownership ahead of the final home game of the season has been scrapped, according to BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone.
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.
Fan-led protest group Action For Albion have been leading protests against the Baggies ownership in recent months, with the latest taking place in the home game against Queens Park Rangers on 10 April.
And according to BBC Sport [20 April], a planned protest for the last home game of the season against Norwich on 29 April has been scrapped, with Stone reporting that it would be counterproductive to hold a planned demonstration.
The fans reportedly remain alarmed at the club’s financial situation.
Understandable, but protests must continue
Given the upturn in West Brom’s form and the current picture now taking shape in the Championship playoff chase, it is understandable that Action for Albion have scrapped plans for a planned protest in the home game against Norwich as it could well derail the club’s chances and focus in securing a much-needed playoff place come the end of the season.
However, Lai’s continued incompetence, lack of transparency and communication have left West Brom in serious financial jeopardy right now, a position which could prove damaging to the club’s long-term future.
Certainly, promotion could help significantly but it shouldn’t take away the lack of class and business acumen shown by a chairman who continues to disrespect and tarnish the West Brom name.
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 ongoing issues is what’s making matters worse.
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.
The protests have to go on.
In other West Brom news, Nathaniel Chalobah suffered a “potentially serious injury” during the 2-0 win over Hull as the Albion kept their playoff hopes alive on Tuesday (18 April).