'I don't care' - Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor issues dismissive response to Eagles fans following supporter protests as American insists he doesn't 'work for ultras'

Textor, who has had approximate 45% stake in the Eagles since 2021, is among those to come under fire from Palace fans. After supporters produced a banner saying, "Multi-club ownership. Stock market gambling. Textor, we don’t trust you," the American - who also partly owns French side Lyon - has responded in a dismissive manner.

He told BBC Sport: "There's a lot of talk of that but it's misguided. I read these banners which are nonsense. I showed up a couple of years ago and I do nothing but support as one of four members of the board and then I see banners which say 'Textor we don't trust you'. I don't care.

"They don't need to trust me, I'm not running the club. People say they want fan ownership and transparency but there's nothing more transparent than a US public company that reports material contracts within four days. They don't like capitalism apparently in the ultras at Crystal Palace. So I went to talk to them about it. I met them outside Selhurst Park and they said, 'John, you bought Lyon, are you aware of the politics of your ultras in Lyon?'

"I said, 'God no, what are they?' They said, 'Well, they are right, and we at Palace are left.' Well I don't care, this has nothing to do with football. I have an opinion of Crystal Palace and the culture and the fans which I love - but ultras in some clubs... I was drawn to this relationship of club and community. It's organised fan groups which hijack that relationship.

"Some very smart people in football told me, 'John, pay attention to the ultras, they can be wonderful, they can be passionate, they can be supportive but make sure you know who your fans are - all of them.' I developed a belief that I work for the anonymous fan that I don't know, and he or she is 10 years old and they love the club because their father loves the club. I don't work for the ultras."

Palace have largely established themselves as a mid-table Premier League side and their net spend over the past five years (minus £127 million), the 11th-biggest in the division, arguably reflects that. But with the likes of rivals Brighton qualifying for Europe on a smaller budget, and the Eagles falling closer to the relegation zone, fans are becoming more critical of Textor and fellow co-owners Steve Parish, Josh Harris, and David Blitzer.

The Holmesdale Fanatics ultras group have also taken exception to the club's decision to replace one of their flags to make space for an LED advertising board recently.

While off the pitch protests are likely to continue, on the field, new manager Oliver Glasner will hope to back up their 3-0 win over Burnley last time out when they travel to London neighbours Tottenham on Saturday.