Arsenal fans protest against owner Kroenke

Arsenal fans protest against owner Kroenke

MENAFN.com

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(MENAFN - Gulf Times) Thousands of Arsenal fans gathered outside Emirates Stadium ahead of last night's Premier League game against Everton to protest against the north London club's American owner Stan Kroenke following the failed attempt to form a breakaway Super League. Proposals for a partially closed competition involving 12 of Europe's top clubs in England, Spain and Italy collapsed on Wednesday when most of the founders pulled out amidst stinging criticism from fans, governing bodies and the government. Games continue to be held behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic but Arsenal supporters were out in force outside the stadium, lighting flares and chanting 'We want Kroenke out and 'Get out of our club. '#KroenkeOut was trending on Twitter with former striker and Arsenal great Ian Wright also chipping in with a tweet. Supporters' protests have been key to the U-turn from the English clubs who had signed up for the Super League with Chelsea fans also protesting outside Stamford Bridge on Tuesday before their game against Brighton & Hove Albion. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Kroenke, CEO Vinai Venkatesham and other figures at the club involved in the Super League plan had apologised to the players and himself. However, Kroenke's son Josh, a director at Arsenal, said on Thursday that they do not plan to sell the Premier League club despite the intense backlash. Rodgers pleads for Leicester to stay focused on top four race Brendan Rodgers warned his Leicester players not to be distracted from their task of qualifying for the Champions League by the FA Cup final after they tightened their grip on a top-four spot. The Northern Irishman's side have a four-point advantage over fifth-placed West Ham with six matches remaining after thumping West Brom 3-0 on Thursday. The Foxes play Chelsea in the FA Cup final next month, looking to lift the trophy for the first time. They last appeared in the final in 1969. Rodgers is determined to avoid a repeat of last season's implosion, with Leicester missing out on a Champions League spot on the final day of the season. 'We can only control ourselves, he said after his side's impressive win against West Brom. 'There's nothing guaranteed, we want to arrive in the top four. 'I said to the players this is the time of the season. Just because they have arrived in the final, it doesn't mean we have one foot in and one foot out. We have other commitments. Sam Allardyce's West Brom had given themselves a sliver of hope after wins against Chelsea and Southampton but their situation now looks hopeless. They are languishing in 19th place, nine points adrift of 17th-placed Burnley and with a significantly worse goal difference. MENAFN23042021000067011011ID1101973802

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