Warning: Videos contain coarse language
Hundreds of Arsenal supporters chanted Friday for owner Stan Kroenke to sell the club and board members to be fired for agreeing to join the breakaway European Super League.
Fans lit flares, held up signs, and joined in chorus outside Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium hours before kickoff against Everton to protest Kroenke, who agreed earlier this week to join the controversial Super League. The closed-circuit competition was widely panned as a money-grab by the sport’s richest teams.
Arsenal officially withdrew from the project Tuesday after significant backlash from supporters, former players, pundits, and politicians. The club – one of six Premier League teams to agree to the proposal – said it “made a mistake” and apologized.
But a fan base that previously called for Kroenke to sell his stake in the club again demanded his removal in vociferous demonstrations:
“Get out of our club,” one group of fans chanted.
“We want our Arsenal back,” another contingent sang.
Many fans carried signs – most containing strong language against the American businessman.
“Kroenke KE-19, The American Virus,” read one.
“Merit, not money: Say no to the Super League,” read another.
Kroenke’s son, Josh, reiterated during a fan forum Thursday that the club “got it wrong.” The 40-year-old, who also serves on Arsenal’s board of directors, told supporters his father’s conglomerate has no intention of selling the club.
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment took over the Gunners in 2011.