Nottingham Forest fans have piled in on bitter enemies Derby County amid reports the Rams could face liquidation.
The Daily Mail claim Derby could face going out of business unless an agreement can be reached with HMRC over a tax bill of about £26m.
The Rams are rock bottom of the Championship after a 21-point deduction for financial breaches and going into administration.
As well as the debt to HMRC, they owe MSD Holdings more than £20m, and a combination of football and trade creditors are owed around £15m.
It is reported that the club’s administrators, Quantuma, are due to meet with HMRC for talks which are said to be crucial to the Rams’ hopes of survival, with the search for a new owner ongoing.
It is claimed prospective buyers believe that unless HMRC agree to quarter the debt – Derby are in serious danger of being liquidated.
And Reds fans have taken to social media to have their say on their rivals’ predicament.
Robredtilldead: it is sad about the plight of derby county but there (former)owner should front the bill, the fans aint helping the club by staying at home,, get out in numbers and give your club a chance
Sut: I do feel for any club going under, but the HMRC cannot and must not write off debts like this. What message does that send out ? And once they've done it there will be a precedence.
Adrian Scott: Deep down no forest fan wants this I’d rather them be in a lower league than no club at all
Wayne Hutcho: Any other business with that much debt wouldve been shut down by now
Vassilis Poulakos: Means that we would have to make archrivals out of Leicester or even Notts? Yawn.
@kimbopaul1: So, is the chant now going to be “Derby’s going bust with a fiver in the bank?”
@el_pond0: Every time I start to feel a bit sorry for Derby fans I remember the way they acted when they thought they were gonna get away with it and get promoted to the PL. What goes around and all that…
@jakeadkinsport: If Derby fold does that mean we “win” the rivalry?
@domlikesrabbits: Derby County. Bouncing out of business. Couldn't happen to a nicer club.
@cookenffc: As much as I hate them, really don’t want to see this happen
@ryanbardill_: Get in with your pennies. Defo take Buchanan & Knight of there hands for next to nothing!
@BrummieTricky: Buzzing to play AFC Derby on racecourse ground. #nffc #dcfc
If Derby’s debt was slashed, it would potentially be contentious as it would send a message to other clubs which owe money to HMRC.
The Daily Mail report adds that while US businessman Chris Kirchner remains interested in buying the club, other parties have “stepped back”.
The Mail say they have spoken to people "privy to the financials of the situation and they fear the Championship club is ‘sleepwalking’ towards oblivion, and that the optimism of the administrators is not reflective of reality”.
A source also told the Mail: “The administrators say they are confident of striking a deal with HMRC, but while we do not know what that deal is, how can you decide to buy the club? You simply can’t.
“The administrators are making positive noises, but it is in their interests to do so - firstly to maintain hope of a sale, but also because they are being paid as long as the club remains in their hands. Their costs (around £2.8m so far) are adding to the burden on the club all the time.
“The reality among those who have looked to buy Derby is that liquidation is more likely than not.
“The only body who can convene to save Derby is the government. It needs them to get the treasury, the English Football League, Mel Morris (the Rams’ former owner) and MSD around a table and put together a plan to rescue the club.”
