[Saba Sports News] Ahead of Chelsea’s home match against Manchester United, fans of the Blues and those of Strasbourg, also owned by BlueCo, staged a joint protest, as supporters of both clubs are deeply unhappy with the consortium led by Todd Boehly. Since taking over Chelsea and Strasbourg, BlueCo’s management strategy has drawn widespread criticism. Chelsea risks failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League this season, which has further fueled fan anger. Both Chelsea and Strasbourg are owned by BlueCo, a consortium consisting of Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly, and fans of both sides are dissatisfied with the clubs’ current operating model. When Strasbourg faced Crystal Palace in the UEFA Europa Conference League this season, French fans also unfurled a banner referencing Crystal Palace’s expulsion from the UEFA Europa League for breaching multi-club ownership rules. The banner read: “Crystal Palace banned from Europa League – Win or lose, you lose. Reject multi-club ownership.”
The editor believes that fans should not only expose the incompetence and chaotic management of Chelsea’s board, but also denounce the drawbacks brought about by the multi-club ownership model. Teams like Strasbourg are being stripped of their identity and heritage, while long-established and respected fan groups are facing suppression and control by ruthless management.