Rovers hierarchy urged to not attend games by fans
A collection of Blackburn Rovers supporters groups are calling upon senior club officials to stay away from the side's remaining games this season.The fan groups want chief executive officer Steve Waggott, head of football operations Rudy Gestede and chief operating officer and representative of the owners' Suhail Pasha to not attend any of the last eight league matches.The groups believe that these figures have become a target for frustrations at how the club is being run and their absence could result in a more positive environment for the team to perform in.Blackburn have slipped to ninth in the Championship, five points adrift of the play-off spots.
Rovers have taken just one point from their past five games, including four matches under new head coach Valerien Ismael.The Frenchman arrived to replace John Eustace, who left the club to join struggling Derby County last month.But a season that looked so promising is threatening to go the other way, as a run of six straight wins in November and December had Blackburn as high as fifth in the table and hopeful of maintaining a play-off push.The club needed a strong transfer window to reinforce gaps in the squad but ended up scrambling in three players on deadline day.And since that strong run before Christmas, they have only collected 15 points from their past 18 matches.They also face a situation this summer when 12 players either end their loan deals or are out of contract.
'Jack Walker's legacy eroded'
Against this backdrop, the fan groups state that the presence of Waggott, Gestede and Pasha has become a "source of division" amongst supporters and that their absence could engender a more "unified and focused atmosphere".They are unhappy at the direction the club is taking on what is also the 30th anniversary of their Premier League title win.Their statement on X, external said: "Supporters' frustrations have grown due to concerns over the management of playing assets, declining matchday attendances and reports of executive pay increases during a period of serious uncertainty for the club." Rovers fans also believe that it is time for new ownership at the club after nearly 15 years under the Venky's."There is a growing sentiment that Jack Walker's [former owner's] legacy is being slowly eroded, resulting in an increasing desire for new ownership," they said.
Blackburn's next match is away to Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT).The BBC has contacted Blackburn football club for their response.
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