Rams bidder slams alleged death threats aimed at previous owner

The US businessman trying to buy Derby County has criticised alleged death threats against former owner Mel Morris as the pair appear to have reached stalemate over the sale of the club.

In a series of tweets in the early hours of Sunday morning, Chris Kirchner said the pair were at an “impasse” – thought to be over the sale of the Pride Park Stadium, which owned by a separate company run by Morris.

Kirchner said: “I’ve spoken to Mel this morning in a meeting with several of the key parties. We remain at an impasse, but I’m hopeful everyone will come around to agree to save this great football club and so that we can move on with rebuilding it.

“I want to also say that it has been brought to my attention that Mel has received death threats and other threatening messages. There is absolutely no place for that. Tensions are high. There is an unbelievable amount of emotion involved. However, violence and/or the threat of it is never acceptable and I ask that everyone lets this play out in an appropriate manner.”

Kirchner also revealed the meetings between the stakeholders went on until the early hours of Friday morning (May 6) and that manager Wayne Rooney was present until 2.30am.

The Rams concluded a dramatic season on Saturday with a 1-0 home loss to Cardiff City. The club finished the season in 23rd place after a 21-point deduction meant they were relegated to League One.