Premier League owner downs pint in front of delighted fans at French Cup clash in echoes of infamous Mike Ashley video

11 months ago 68

CRYSTAL PALACE’s owner has delighted fans at a French Cup clash by downing a pint.

John Textor and Eagle Football Holdings arrived at the South London club in 2021 as he bought a £90million stake in the club.

Textor was also given a sticker by the fans[/caption]

He placed it on the stadium fence[/caption]

Textor was also spotted in a McDonald’s speaking to a fan[/caption]

Textor, 58, is a shareholder in four other clubs such as Botafogo, FC Florida, RWD Molenbeek and Olympique Lyonnais.

During Lyon‘s Coupe de France clash against Pontarlier, Textor mingled with the fans.

He was filmed taking a club sticker from one fan and sticking it onto the fence at the host’s Stade Léo Lagrange.

Textor was also seen downing a pint as fans cheered him on before he handed the empty cup back to them.

Another fan video also showed the American at a McDonald’s branch speaking to a young fan.

The video is comparable to former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley necking a pint in the away end at the Emirates in 2008.

Fans reacted to the video on social media.

One posted: “Our president, John Textor, is having his best life.”

A second commented: “Certainly a treat for the Lyon supporters.”

A third wrote: “This president is too much.”

Lyon did the business on the pitch as they won 3-0 thanks to goals from Ryan Cherki and former Arsenal stars Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Alexandre Lacazette.

The result was a boost to the club’s fans, who had become disgruntled after a poor Ligue 1 campaign.

Lyon currently sits 15th in the table after a shocking start to the season has seen them only win four league matches.

Meanwhile, Textor is reportedly considering selling his stake in Crystal Palace.

The Independent has claimed the potential sale is only at a “formative stage”.

Former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley pulled a similar stunt in 2008[/caption]