A few Charlton fans in 3/4 lengths and covered in dribble is hardly intimidating. Also, i believe only one fan was at the door
I'm aware that many people don't see anything sinister in that event at all. I feel very strongly that it was intended to intimidate, and it was completely unacceptable. However I guess this ground was well covered here at the time, as it was on other Charlton fans' forums, so I won't post any further comments regarding it.
Not too bothered about the visit, but the "we know where your parents live" puts a different light on it. That's just plain wrong.
(I know I said I wouldn't comment further) but just to clarify FHB; The visit itself was the message. Nothing intimidating was actually said to KM's parents on their doorstep. That phrase I used earlier: we know where your parents live and we're willing to take our argument with you to their door Those actual words were never spoken or written to KM either. The 'message' I referred to (which was not on the leaflet) was the implication. an implied threat, caused merely by the presence of that person on KM's parents' doorstep. The person who gave out the leaflet was perfectly friendly and polite I expect. Indeed that person was probably unaware of the message they were actually sending to KM just by being there. But somebody planned that event. And that's who was sending the unspoken message. Actions can speak louder than words. Even the most innocuous thing can exert enormous pressure. The implied message was think about this visit the next time you get some hate mail. Think about this next time somebody sends you an abusive or threatening tweet or email. Be worried about your family as well as yourself. That adds a whole new layer of psychological pressure on somebody who already knows she is despised and even hated by a large number of people, all of whom are unknown and unidentifiable to her, and could be anywhere at any time. Subtle, simple, deniable intimidation.
Would that intimidation have been there if her father hadn't answered the front door? Or of the leaflet had been sent in the post? Or it was just sent to Mr & Mrs Meire, Hasselt, Limburg?
Yes. It's still intimidation however it was done. Whether the leaflet was handed to KM's relative by hand, or put through their letterbox, or even posted to them. Makes no difference. Meire's parents were targeted for the protest. The targeting itself was the act of intimidation. The fact it was a person actually on their doorstep made it particularly unpleasant in my opinion. It doesn't matter how friendly and polite that person was. Bearing in mind the abuse she had already been personally targeted for by some individuals, when KM first heard that a protester had gone to her parent's house and spoken to her father on the doorstep, how do you think she felt in those first few seconds? That was the intimidation. Standing up for yourself in the face of strong criticism and ridicule is one thing. Even fearing for your own safety because of some of the nastier abuse is bad enough, but is sadly something that controversial figures like our extremely unpopular ex-CEO have to put up with. But to have the seed of fear planted in your mind that the people you love - your own family - have been targeted for attention by some of the people who oppose you... That is something else entirely, and to me it is totally out of order. What do Katrien Meire's mother and father have to do with her actions as Charlton's CEO, or protests against those actions? Nothing whatsoever. But somebody thought it was a good idea to involve them. To use them as another lever to apply mental pressure on her. I struggle to believe that there are Charlton fans who don't have a problem with that tactic. OK, that's it now from me on this subject. (really this time).
I can’t agree with @lardiman on this one. Meire deliberately and spitefully set out to destroy many aspects of Charlton. She crossed the mark on a number of occasions. Giving her father a leaflet & telling him his daughter was sh1t at her job was entirely acceptable. As @baraettmattesvensson ssys, if she tried this stuff at Sheff Wed, she will meet an altogether different reaction. She is useless and should be kept well away from any football club.
Completely and utterly disagree with you and stop being such a woos lardi......the gloves were off at that time and if it upset Pussy Galore who honestly gives a dam.....as for her parents I’m sure they got over it.......a few home truths hurt once in a while......so am I supposed to feel sorry for them?
There was and has never been any physical intimidation of Meire or her family. If she knew anything at all about our Club and it's history she would know that. All our protests historically have been non violent and if there has ever been a hint of it turning nasty, it has been reined in by the vast majority of protesting fans. You only have to see the moral victory that was won when Simon Oleman lost it. We are the Mahatma Gandhi of protesting football fans.
The authentic voice of the Charlton Ultras speaks Just be very careful if you and your mates plan another ill advised Belgium visit at this stage - RD has got a lot more money than you and can exact revenge if you piss him off. He doesn’t have to rush to sell us.
RDs money is not as large as his ego though. Neither his ego or his money will stop further 'protests' in Belgium until he has gone, lock stock and barrel. If you think he's pissed off now, he'll be fuming if he doesn't go sooner rather than later. The relationship that has now been carefully built up between protestors and the Belgium Authorities will frustrate any attempts he may make to curtail protests in Belgium. As I said, like Meire, he needs to know the history of this football club and the tenaciousness and sheer cunning of it's fans.
Sounds like it’s not just Duchatelet who has an ego then. Elephants & pea shooters spring to mind. What happens if your latest visit to St Truiden pisses Duchatelet off to such an extent he decides to play hardball? Selling more players? Sending loans back ? Playing nasty with the future of the Valley? What will you do then ?
What, you mean like he's doing now without any Belgium visits? How long do you want us to wait? You are very good at knocking back other peoples actions but not too fond on actually trying to do something about it yourself.
I supported the last Belgium visit because Duchatelet wasn’t selling then. He is now. I know you rate yourself, but do you really think 50 old duffers turning up in St Truiden is going to persuade Duchatelet to take a haircut on £40m? I repeat - you are just going to antagonise him at the wrong time in Charlton’s history. If you feel that strongly about the Regime, buy a ticket for the next home game for the West Stand and tell them to their faces. I did that 3 years ago
Cool. You protest your way - though not sure how much good it will do when he's not even in the Country and will have no idea about you waving your fist at the Directors box. Meanwhile, myself and others will take the protest to his front door - literally. I also believe the fact that we are 'old duffers' has been detrimental to his efforts in trying to stop the protests in Belgium. As Corporal Jones would say - "He doesn't like it up him"
As Captain Mainwairing would say - “You silly boy, Pike”. Can you enlighten us on what a visit to St Truiden would achieve at this time, and have you considered the risks attached to the future of the Club?
I have to agree with Anti. I think going over there now and protesting in his own backyard will antagonise him. There is no guarantee that he won't dig his heels in further. The time to do it is if he hasn't sold us by the end of the Season.
