Birmingham City’s Chinese owners have stated that they have absolutely no intention of selling the club.
Director Edward Zheng confirmed that the owners are unwilling to let go of the club, despite protests planned by Birmingham fans this weekend.
The #BHSLOUT campaign has been trending on social network throughout the week, and now fans are reportedly planning to take action at this weekend’s upcoming fixture against Barnsley.
"Communication is the key. I noticed something happened on the social networks. In Chinese culture we're always willing to do first and then we talk,” said Zhang, via the BBC.
"We are humble, quiet and we are willing to do things first, that is our culture. Not talk first. This is not our culture.
"However, we noticed that something was happening and decided we needed to communicate and correspond with our fans.
"We do believe we need to give communication to fans for what really happened and what is the reality in the stadium and what we need to do."
When asked if the planned protests had caused any re-thinking about their ownership of the club, Zheng replied: “No. We have no intention to sell the club."
Lee Bowyer’s side are currently nine points clear of the relegation zone, in 18th place in the Championship table.
The side are winless in their last six league games, and were also eliminated from the FA Cup by League One side Plymouth Argyle.
The Blues lost their most recent game in humiliating fashion to league leaders Fulham. The high flying side battered Birmingham 6-2, making it three defeats in their last four league games.
Barnsley, in 24th, offer an opportunity to turn the team’s fortunes around this weekend, but one victory won’t settle fans’ disgruntlement with the ownership of the club.
The Verdict
Birmingham City fans have every right to voice their concerns with the way the club is being run.
If not for the sale of Jude Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund, then the financial side of the club would look a whole lot worse than it already does.
No fan deserves for there to be that kind of uncertainty about the club they love. We have seen what neglectful owners have done to other clubs in the EFL, so Birmingham fans have every reason to want to do what they can to avoid the same for their team.
Whether or not protests go ahead this weekend, the fans have clearly voiced their concerns online and the hope now is that the owners do take notice of that criticism.