Kilmarnock manager Allan Johnston felt his players needed to focus more on the issues on the pitch rather than what happens off it.
Killie fans protested during their side's 5-2 loss to Celtic on the weekend after chairman Michael Johnston had cut the price of tickets for the away supporters.
It was a move met by plenty of negativity by the Killie faithful but manager Johnston said it should not have affected the team as they were soundly beaten by the reigning champions.
"My first obligation is towards the employees, which includes 42 professional footballers," said the Killie boss.
"The ringleaders of the angry fans have their own agenda and they are trying to force change with an objective of community ownership of the club.
"They don't care about the 200 employees we have here - I do - I'm trying to generate revenue, pay wages and keep people in employment in one of Scotland's biggest unemployment blackspots.
"I apologise for the timing of the announcements, because clearly that was a mistake, and that's highly regrettable, but the bottom line is that nobody was prejudiced by the offer made to Celtic supporters."
He added: "We have just got to concentrate on the football.
"It is easy enough to make excuses and say that makes a difference but it is the football we have to concentrate on and it shouldn't affect the players.
"It is amazing to think we got beat 5-2 there. It was a really good performance but we lost cheap goals."
