Hamilton Academical owner Colin McGowan has claimed a 'toxic few' of their supporters have embarrassed the club in front of the football world, amid claims of shocking 'rape and cancer chants' aimed at Accies staff.
In a nine-minute address on social media last night, Mr McGowan took aim at a minority of supporters for their recent actions, which were described earlier in the week by club chairman Allan Maitland as 'hate crimes.'
It is not clear what hate crimes - which are related to prejudice regarding race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or disabilities - the club are referring to, but comments were made towards members of the board and manager John Rankin during ugly scenes midway through the second leg of Hamilton's Championship play-off win over Alloa on Saturday.
Mr McGowan has claimed that incident at New Douglas Park led to a sponsor pulling out of a £760 per month commitment and manager John Rankin can now no longer bring his family to matches after 'vile comments' were made regarding his wife and children.
He also said he has been the victim of 'cancer chants' and said recent events have brought shame on the club across the world.
Mr McGowan said: "The reason I'm doing this video is that doing nothing is no longer an option.
"Yesterday [Monday] morning, I got the first sponsor cancelling £760 a month as he was disgusted by the verbal attack on the manager, among other things.
"Sadly, I've had supporters tell me they will not bring their grandkids to this club.
"The manager tells me he can't have his wife and children here and, for obvious reasons, I can't bring my family here.
"It's a very sad state of affairs.
"I'm told there is some very toxic social media content going about, regarding burning people's homes to the ground and someone threatening rape against a Hamilton employees' wife at Saturday's game.
"Me, personally, a supporter wished me to die an agonising death of cancer - and that's not the worst one for me. It's very sad.
"I believe this behaviour has been carried out by the same few individuals who bring shame to the Accies badge at home and away games.
"I am going to appeal to these individuals to think very carefully before you continue down this road of hate and destruction.
"Thank God that these toxic few are not a true reflection of the real supporters that love this club and love their badge.
"It is important to say, particularly to our young supporters, that protests and demonstrations are democratic, and it is right that you let your feelings be known.
"But get organised, appoint a spokesperson, contact the chairman - and do it in an orderly fashion, not as part of a screaming mob, shouting abuse at individuals.
"A screaming mob will never change a thing.
"It is actually embarrassing to your club in front of the whole football world."
During his video statement, the 68-year-old also made 'three promises' to supporters regarding the future of the club, which he is keen to offload to a new custodian.
He added: "I'm going to make three promises.
"First, I'm going to work very hard to find a new custodian and there are possibilities.
"At 68, I feel the club may need someone younger with fresh ideas and with the football club sold, it will give me more time for the charity work that I have always made clear to be my passion.
"Promise number two is that my property company that owns the stadium will offer a 50 year lease to any new owner, which will ensure Hamilton Accies will always have a place to call home and never again be in the position we were in when I came here 20 years ago.
"Promise number three. When the individuals that made the hateful and disgusting comments are found - and I mean the rape chant and the cancer chants - these individuals will be banned from your club."
The video comes ahead of a huge match for Hamilton's Championship survival, with the club travelling to Airdrie tonight in the first leg of the play-off final.
Some Accies fans have disputed many of the club's claims on social media.
Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.
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