Cardiff City have issued a response to supporters following the open letter they received over the club's perceived inaction and lack of communication over appointing a new manager.

On Thursday Cardiff confirmed Omer Riza, who had been interim boss following the sacking of Erol Bulut in September, would take charge of the first team until the end of the campaign.

However, the protracted appointment process, during which the fans felt they were being left in the dark, forced supporters' groups to band together to call out the board in a stern letter to the club, in which the Cardiff City Fan Advisory Board (FAB) said it had "serious concerns" over the "lack of of any clear plans" for the club and warned that a "significant" shift in supporter opinion is close, if not already here.

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Cardiff have now responded to the open letter, with the club stating its "disappointment" over the lack of communication prior to the publishing of the "incendiary" letter. With regards to the lack of discussion with supporters' groups over the hierarchy's plans both in the short and long term, the club took umbrage with the notion that they do not communicate often enough with supporters, highlighting the regularity of their meetings and the advent of the FAB itself.

"Frustrations with early-season performances and our League position at this stage of the season are acknowledged and empathised with; however, the Club is disappointed that the referenced letter was made public suddenly by the FAB on Sunday evening, without due dialogue and communication processes being assumed in line with the FAB’s terms of reference," the statement said.

"Prior to this letter’s publication, no discussion from supporter-elected members of the FAB was had with the Nominated Board Level Representative (NBLR) and Co. Chair, Steve Borley. For optimal function of the FAB as it was agreed and intended, it is essential that this formalised dialogue consistently, and without exception, takes place in future.

"Cardiff City’s Fan Advisory Board (FAB) is an independent body for in-depth discussion with the Club’s hierarchy including Executive Club Staff and the Club’s Board of Directors. In February 2024, five directly elected fans were elected to the FAB. Five statutory supporter representatives sit on the FAB, including two members of Cardiff City Supporters’ Trust (CCST); two members of Cardiff City Supporters’ Club (CCSC); and one member of Cardiff City Disabled Supporters’ Association (CCDSA).

"Meetings are co-chaired by Club Director Steve Borley, Cardiff City’s NBLR, and Michael Weedon, the elected supporter representative.

"Scheduled meetings happened in February, May and August this year, with the fourth and final meeting of 2024 scheduled for next Monday. Cardiff City FC’s Supporters Liaison Officer (SLO) serves as Secretary of the FAB with meetings published via the Club website.

"In addition, a fan parliament, attended by Mehmet Dalman, Ken Choo, Steve Borley and Omer Riza and 10 Heads of Departments took place on November 1.

"Ahead of several other clubs and without current obligation, Cardiff City Football Club took the decision to form its own independent fan advisory board earlier this year to give supporters a stronger voice that was heard mandatorily. It is therefore concerning that an incendiary open letter was published, contrary to the procedures and process that the FAB agreed upon."