Chelsea fans staged an angry protest outside Stamford Bridge ahead of Tuesday night’s Premier League clash with Southampton.
Around 200 supporters marched with flares and banners to express their frustration with the club’s owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
The demonstration began approximately two hours before kick-off, with fans gathering outside the stadium’s Bovril Gate.
Protesters directed their anger at the current ownership regime that took over from Roman Abramovich in May 2022.
Chelsea fans are protesting against the ownership of the club
PA
The protest moved along Fulham Road to the Stamford Gate as the crowd grew in size.
Demonstrators chanted “we want our Chelsea back” and sang the name of former owner Roman Abramovich.
Some fans were also heard shouting “Boehly, you’re a c***” as they marched through the streets.
Videos on social media showed the large gathering of supporters walking together and singing inflammatory chants about the Blues chairman.
The protest marks the first open demonstration at Stamford Bridge since April 2021 during the European Super League controversy.
Protesters displayed numerous banners expressing their discontent with the current ownership.
One prominent banner read: “You’re killing our club,” while another stated: “Wanted for crimes against Chelsea – Clearlake [and] BlueCo”.
A supporter waved fake money in front of a cartoon image of Boehly alongside a sign reading: “Thanks Chelsea fans for making me richer”.
Other signs included “We’re not Arsenal. Win or f*** off!” and a “Clear Off” poster bemoaning “no stadium plans”, “no Champions League football” and “average players”.
Fans’ frustration stems from the club’s dismal run of form, having taken just nine points from their last ten league matches.
Chelsea have slipped from second in the table to seventh and now face a battle to secure Champions League football next season.
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Chelsea owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have become unpopular figures at the club
PA
Despite spending more than £1 billion on players since the takeover in 2022, the club has yet to win a major trophy under the current ownership.
The Blues’ only remaining hope for silverware this season is the Conference League.
The criticism of Boehly intensified following recent revelations that he is a co-owner of Vivid Seats, an American website selling tickets to sporting events.
This platform reportedly sells Chelsea match tickets at significant markups, fueling fans’ anger.
Since Clearlake Capital and Boehly purchased the club from Abramovich, Chelsea’s Premier League finishes have been 12th and sixth.
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Chelsea fans gathered outside Stamford Bridge before their match against Southampton
PA
The ownership has overseen a complete overhaul of the club structure, replacing staff across all departments from groundsmen to the commercial team.
Chelsea’s current seventh place position represents their lowest in the table since the early weeks of the season.
The club were second until Boxing Day but have won just two games since, collecting only six points from a possible 30.
Enzo Maresca’s side have dropped dramatically in the standings since December 22.