Sunderland warned over 'toxic' risk after Charlie Methven appearance

Sunderland risk allowing a 'toxic' atmosphere to build amid concerns over the club's ownership structure.

That is the view of football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who suspects the Black Cats are avoiding 'uncomfortable' questions following Charlie Methven's appearance at the recent defeat at Cheltenham Town.

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus completed his takeover over Sunderland in February last year, with Stewart Donald, Methven and Juan Sartori retaining small stakes in the club.

Alex Neil has been appointed as Lee Johnson's successor following a lengthy recruitment process which has seen the club's hopes for automatic promotion fade.

The discontent over the team's current form, coupled with fresh ownership questions after Methven's appearance, has led Maguire to claim the Black Cats feel in 'danger'.

Maguire told Football Insider: “I think the club haven’t disclosed the information because they feel uncomfortable.

“They don’t want the fans to find out the exact nature of the relationship between Louis-Dreyfus, Charlie Methven and Stewart Donald.

“Why would Methven, who is not a Sunderland fan, still be there unless he had some form of relationship with the club?

“I think Sunderland are in danger of returning to a toxic relationship between the club and the fans.

“The takeover by Louis-Dreyfus was supposed to lance that particular boil. Losing a few matches doesn’t help too, of course.”