Source: REUTERS/Ian Walton
[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, Chelsea has received £93,000 from Vivid Seats, a ticketing website listed by the Premier League as “unauthorized.” In the club’s accounts published at the home of the company this weekend, the payment made during the 2023-24 season is listed as a “transaction with related parties.” Last month, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) called on the Premier League to investigate the connection between Todd Boehly and Vivid Seats. Vivid Seats is an American site that allows users outside the UK to buy and sell entertainment and sports event tickets at inflated prices. However, Boehly has been a director and investor of Vivid Seats since 2021. Selling tickets for designated football matches by unauthorized persons is a criminal offense in the UK but not in other countries. Chelsea has previously stated that they are committed to “addressing the ticket touting issue,” and they have condemned the practice of excessive reselling, warning season ticket holders not to sell tickets for profit. Vivid Seats was a partner of Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the United States in the summer of 2023. This allowed Vivid Seats to display its brand on the stadium’s digital platforms and offer its members the opportunity to purchase VIP packages, including benefits such as attending exclusive public training sessions.