The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust have laid out their demands to future owners of the club and have urged prospective buyers to meet them as soon as possible.
Chelsea are up for sale after current owner Roman Abramovich announced this week that he intends to sell the club.
Prospective buyers are now putting together official bids, with billionaires Todd Boehly and Hansjorg Wyss emerging as frontrunners.
The CST are aware that negotiations over the sale of Chelsea are moving at pace and are eager for their demands to be heard.
They have put together a list of five demands that they want any new owner to agree to, which are as follows:
1. The outstanding balance of the loan from the Club to Chelsea Pitch Owners should be forgiven, so that Stamford Bridge is secured by and for Chelsea’s supporters.
2. The relevant recommendations of the Fan-led Review of Football Governance report by Tracey Crouch are implemented, namely:
a. A Golden Share for fans to protect key items of club heritage; b. Consultation with supporters through the creation of a democratically elected shadow board; c. Continued support for Chelsea FC Women
3. A commitment from prospective owners to meet the CST at the earliest opportunity and to engage in regular, constructive dialogue with supporters on issues of supporter interest, including fair ticketing, and stadium development.
4. A commitment from prospective owners to continuing the legacy of the Chelsea Foundation’s community work.
5. A guarantee that there will be no attempts to exit existing sporting structures without the engagement of key stakeholders, with supporters at the forefront – this includes the “European Super League.”
In a statement, the CST added: “We call on the Premier League, Football Association and Football Supporters Association to support the above demands.
“This is an important juncture in demonstrating a commitment to improved governance in football, with communities and supporters at its heart.
“The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust calls on all Chelsea supporters to join the CST, endorse the above aims and ensure our voice is heard.”
