Leicester fans planning to protest against the running of the club have been urged to back the squad in their fight against relegation.
Boss Ruud van Nistelrooy agrees supporters have a right to voice their opinion with Foxes fans being asked to protest before and during Saturday’s Premier League visit from Arsenal.
The protest has been branded Project Reset and urges fans to make themselves heard in the 14th minute, a reference to the 14 seconds the club missed the deadline by to register Adrien Silva for his £22m move from Sporting Lisbon in 2017.
Supporters have chanted for the removal of director of football Jon Rudkin – who is under fire for the club’s perceived drift and poor signings – but this is the first time any form of dissent has been planned.
“Thank God we can live in a society where there is freedom of speech and everyone who feels they can let their voice heard is free to do that and we can all be happy they can do that,” said Van Nistelrooy, with the Foxes third bottom in the table.
“Looking back as a player, when you played in front of your home crowd and there is a connection from a tackle, pass, cross or difficult moments in a game where support is lifting you, I know as a coach and someone who loves sports and football what it does to the team.
“I can only hope the support will be behind the players. Of course it’s good if there is anything you want to get off your chest individually or in groups,
“We live in a society where that’s possible – but when the whistle starts until the end of the game I can only hope the players are fully supported by the crowd and it will lift them.”
