Derby County fans have been urged not to take direct action at Saturday’s game against Preston North End over the slow progress in finding a new owner.
Club administrators Quantuma are concerned that supporters frustrated at the lack of details that have come out about the sale process could cause unrest during the 3pm Pride Park match.
They said there had been a growing social media campaign among fans calling for action during the game.
The administrators said talks with potential buyers had actually “progressed significantly” over the last 10 days, after months of procrastinated discussions.
The Rams went into administration last autumn with attempts to find a new owner hampered by issues such as financial claims against the club from Middlesbrough and Wycombe Wanderers.
Derby have been allowed to continue playing in the Championship after having 21 points docked for breaching English Football League accounting rules and for going into administration.
However the club’s future has remained in doubt throughout the process.
In a statement Quantuma said: “We are aware that supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated at the ongoing administration of the club.
“As we have previously reported, much of the administration process is conducted in a strictly confidential nature.
“The ongoing process to sell the club, and the negotiations taking place to secure the best outcome for creditors along with securing the long-term future of the Club are subject to non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
“The sharing of these details will not only breach the NDAs in place but are also likely to seriously jeopardise negotiations we are undertaking and compromise our ability to affect a sale of the club.
“We understand that supporters are very concerned about the future of the club.
“We also have to recognise that whilst supporters are an extremely important stakeholder, our obligations towards other key stakeholders are equally important at this juncture.
“We would therefore ask that supporters appreciate and respect that the needs of those other key stakeholders which include parties such as creditors, bidders and credible interested parties, HMRC and the EFL need to be aligned with the common goal of ensuring the survival of the football club.
“We are aware of movements on social media calling for fans to take decisive action at the club’s next game against Preston North End on Saturday, and as such serious concerns about crowd safety have been raised.
“In the event of unrest at the game, which may lead to the game being called off or being abandoned, supporters must be aware that this could severely compromise the club’s ability to complete its fixtures for the season, which would lead to EFL penalties, neither of which would not be looked upon favourably by bidders.”
The administrators said they were aware it had been an “incredibly challenging period” for players, staff and supporters, but warned “with emotions running high it should be noted that personal abuse, threats and public incitement that potentially break criminal or civil law are not acceptable”.
The statement said; “Any individual subject to this will be offered Quantuma and the club’s support in raising with the relevant authorities.
“Again, these behaviours will not be looked upon favourably by bidders.”
Quantuma said a “full update” on the sale process had been provided to local MPs, a Team Derby campaign group and the EFL on Monday and Wednesday, and more updates would come over the coming days.
The statement said: “The joint administrators are not yet in a position to announce details of a preferred bidder and are disappointed by attempts by some parties to delay and undermine this process.
“These delays are beyond their control.
“We continue to work with those who have provided credible interest in the club and have prioritised these discussions over those who have submitted mere expressions of interest which do not adhere to the roadmap which has been sent to all interested parties.
The joint administrators continue to take all steps necessary in order to achieve a successful outcome and would like to remind all parties who have an interest in Derby County Football Club that the EFL have made it clear that any offer the joint administrators accept must satisfy football creditors in full in order to even consider the golden share transfer.
“The quantum of credible bids therefore needs to have a certain level of gravitas and financial viability in order to satisfy the requirements of the EFL insolvency policy.”
