27 November 2023 , 02:00
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Fans of RC Strasbourg have told Chelsea owners BlueCo they are 'not welcome and never will be' after buying a majority stake in the club.
The consortium, run by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, bought Chelsea from previous owner Roman Abramovich for £4.25billion last year. They then added Strasbourg to their portfolio in June as they looked to form a new multi-club model.
Boehly had previously spoken of BlueCo's desire to own multiple clubs across the world, stating that a multi-club model would develop "pathways for our young superstars to get on to the Chelsea pitch while getting them real game time".
And Strasbourg fans have regularly protested BlueCo's ownership of their club ever since it was announced and their largest supporters group, Ultra Boys 90, have now issued a strong statement slamming Boehly and co.
"Between the multi-club ownership that we can never accept and the destructive sporting policy, it is now time to say things clearly: BlueCo is not welcome at the Meinau and never will be," they said, as per GFFN.
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BlueCo did insist they would "preserve the legacy" of Strasbourg when they took over, but fans are unconvinced with regular protests being staged at the Stade de la Meinau. Ultra Boys 90 are not the only fan group to have hit out at BlueCo, with Fédération Supporters RCS penning an open letter accusing them of "incompetence".
"Following BlueCo's purchase, the 2023 summer transfer window is our first element of analysis and our first major worry," they said. "The exclusive recruitment of very young players – not yet operational and potentially weakened by their over-exposition, combined with the absence of arrivals of more mature players, exposes the club to a sporting risk from which the owners should have better protected us.
Strasbourg fans have been protesting against BlueCo's ownership of their club (FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
"BlueCo's imposition of an obligation to buy only very young hopefuls is senseless on a sporting level and the fans don't relate to their team at the moment. The supporters that maintained that, since the purchase of Racing, we are only a training centre and a secondary piece in a global business, have gained credit following this transfer window, which seems far from the announced ambition.
"Money without competence doesn't lead to anything good, and the example of Chelsea, our so-called 'big brother', who have spent a lot of money but have had a vertical fall down the English hierarchy, is an important reference point.
"We don't want to incompetence that reigns at Chelsea at RCSA. Neither directly, nor indirectly." Strasbourg currently sit 13th in Ligue 1, just two points above the relegation zone, and are without a win in their last six league game.