COMMENT: Its crunch time for John van Zweden today at Swansea City.
The Dutchman is in Wales for Swansea's big game with Liverpool, but before kickoff he's expected to meet with club chairman Huw Jenkins over his exchange with Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.
Swans director Van Zweden admits he has no idea what to expect and even fears the sack. Though with the furore dying down last week, it's unlikely he'll get anything more than a rap over the knuckles.
But should it even go that far?
Van Zweden was stitched up by reports in the English press a fortnight ago of bellowing insults at Van Gaal after victory over United at the Liberty. The 'Wallpaper King' had been shadowed by a Dutch TV crew for the day as part of a documentary and it's claimed he branded Van Gaal an "arrogant b*****d" - though no-one had seen the footage.
Van Zweden was filmed congratulating Daley Blind and United coach Frans Hoeck after the game before coming across Van Gaal. He insists the United manager "refused (to shake his hand) and said something unkind about me". That's what sparked the reaction.
There was a tame tweet that evening aimed at Van Gaal ('sleep well'), but Van Zweden has publicly apologised for his actions, admitting it's not the right behaviour of a Premier League club director.
Van Zweden reacted instantly, being contrite and apologetic in comments with the Dutch press, comments which still haven't made their way to the English nor Welsh media.
But more disappointing was the response from Jenkins and Swans manager Garry Monk when local reporters quizzed them about the issue. Both distanced themselves from the Swans director and offered no character reference.
Yes, he's boisterous and can rub certain personalities the wrong way, but Van Zweden has been fantastic for Swansea and the profile of the Premier League in his native Holland.
After all, Swansea were on their knees 13 years ago before Van Zweden and four others tipped in £50,000 each to rescue the club. It's him who has been driving the club's ties with Dutch football, with 100-150 fans from Holland traveling to the UK every week to see the Swans play.
Earlier this season, a Dutch teen Ricky Spaans, fighting cancer, saw his 'second team', Swansea defeat Leicester City at the Liberty, with the help of Van Zweden.
Beyond the expanding fanbase in Holland, there's also the Dutch links on the pitch. Wilfried Boy, Michel Vorm, Dwight Tiendalli all moved to the Liberty via the Eredivisie - Van Zweden's presence cannot be just a coincidence.
He deserved better from Jenkins and Monk. This is someone who bleeds for the club. Yet, from their cold response, not even mentioning Van Zweden by name, it was if he had nothing to do with Swansea. A minor irritant.
Perhaps it was simply an oversight - which Van Zweden, no doubt, would suggest. But there was nothing stopping Jenkins and Monk from actually saying how much of a positive force Van Zweden has been for the club - y'know, actually sticking up for one of their own.
For his part, Van Zweden is hoping everything has "fizzled out", and you'd like to think it has. But for everything he's poured into Swansea City, the man deserved a better response from Jenkins and Monk.