VALENCIA president Anil Murthy has received death threats from the Spanish club’s fans after leaping to the defence of owner Peter Lim.
Singapore businessman Lim, 66, who also co-owns Salford City with former Manchester United stars David Beckham, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, became a target for chanting from fans who want him out.
Valencia revealed death threats were sent to club president Murthy, who defended Lim.
The death threats emerged after Valencia’s 2-1 victory at home to Alaves on Saturday.
Local media reported the threats came after Valencia supporters started yelling about the club’s owner.
Reacting to the chants about Lim, Murthy was seen putting his index finger across his lips as if to silence the crowd.
It is unclear exactly what the chants were.
Murthy posted on social media to try to explain his gesture.
His post read: “I want to clear up that the gesture from the balcony today only sought one thing: asking for calm and especially for the fans, who I respect to the maximum, to direct their efforts at helping the team achieve an important victory in a difficult time, a victory that belongs to all of us.”
That post emerged after Valencia released a statement that reported the threats.
The statement read: “The VCF legal department has made the grave threats, some of which were death threats, received in recent hours to the club president’s mobile available to the police for any possible legal consequences that may come from them.”
The messages have not been made public.
The fans’ frustration come after Lim sacked former Valencia manager Marcelino Garcia Toral, 54, last month which angered fans and players.
Before that, Valencia striker Rodrigo Moreno was nearly transferred to Atletico Madrid.
Supporters were unhappy as Rodrigo is a key figure and fans’ favourite.
There have been no reports of arrests and it is unclear if a police investigation has been launched.
The timing of the death threats and verbal attack on Lim is strange as Valencia started the season well.
They beat Chelsea in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge and are just two points off the top four in La Liga.
