CARD announce fresh plans for Easter protests as Charlton Athletic sale talk goes cold

The Coalition Against Roland Duchatelet (CARD) have announced they will stage a day of protest at The Valley on Easter Monday unless there is firm news of new Charlton Athletic owners before April.

Addicks manager Karl Robinson, speaking after Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Blackpool, revealed he had been told that a proposed takeover – with talks starting well before Christmas – was not near to completion.

CARD, who have produced a number of protests since Duchatelet bought the club, said in a statement: “[Richard] Murray [director] said on February 28 that a price and terms had been agreed and we are now just waiting for their respective lawyers to finalise the sale and purchase agreements.

“Robinson’s comments suggest the manager has now been given a different story.

“Fans have been very patient this season and wanted to give Karl Robinson and the players every chance. But another opportunity to get out of League One has been squandered, the club has no effective leadership or strategic direction and there appears to be every prospect of this continuing into the summer, while the absentee owner sits in Belgium counting his money.

“If necessary we intend to target Roland Duchatelet’s business operation in Belgium for lawful protest, as well as the April matches at The Valley, because this situation cannot and will not be allowed to continue indefinitely.

“CARD will announce further details for the Easter Monday game against Rotherham United in due course, with the games on April 14 and 28 to follow, and is focusing its attention abroad on Duchatelet’s plan to open a new 25-room hotel in Belgium in May.

“The group is also calling on Charlton fans to boycott season-ticket sales for 2018/19 until new owners are in place.

“If the club is sufficiently foolish to bring out its season-ticket prices ahead of a takeover we would hope most fans would say enough is enough.

“Nobody needs to buy a season-ticket for August at this stage and Duchatelet would be bound to take it as evidence that he can do anything he likes.”