Sunderland board and Louis-Dreyfus accused of 'misleading and alienating fans'

Sunderland are guilty of ‘misleading and alienating the fans’ after this week’s revelations showed Kyril Louis-Dreyfus is not the Black Cats’ majority shareholder, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Wearsiders have dropped from the Premier League to the third tier of English football in recent seasons, but the supporters suffered a further blow after it emerged they have been fed false information over who is really in full control of their club.

Louis-Dreyfus headed to the Stadium of Light 12 months ago, with the club announcing the Swiss had acquired a controlling interest.

However, it is now known that is not the case as The Athletic have revealed Louis-Dreyfus owns just a 41 per cent stake in Sunderland and the previous owners – Madrox group – have retained the majority of the club’s shares.

The report suggests Stewart Donald owns 34 per cent of the Black Cats – a minimal amount less than Louis-Dreyfus – while Juan Sartori and Charlie Methven hold 20 per cent and five per cent stakes respectively.

Sunderland fans are understood to be furious about the situation and there have been claims that ‘a large amount of trust and goodwill’ has disappeared, as a result.

Donald and Methven have confirmed they are willing to sell their stakes in the club, making it possible for Louis-Dreyfus to own the majority of the Black Cats’ assets.

Sunderland chief operating officer Steve Davison has admitted he is hopeful that the 25-year-old will be able to reach an agreement with the duo.

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O’Rourke believes Sunderland’s supporters have been treated poorly as a consequence of the club failing to be honest about who owns the majority of the Black Cats’ shares.

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