Chelsea supporters continue call for high-profile resignations despite Super League backdown

Nizaar Kinsella

Chelsea supporters continue call for high-profile resignations despite Super League backdown image

Chelsea supporters continue to apply pressure on board members to resign even after the club said on Tuesday that it would begin the process of leaving the Super League project.

The Chelsea Supporters' Trust (CST) has asked members of the club's hierarchy to step down because of the lasting harm they believe has been inflicted by the Blues' leadership in courting a competition that has been widely accused of being a money grab.

The CST's statement followed a large protest outside Stamford Bridge ahead of Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Brighton.

What has been said?

"This is a huge win for supporters worldwide, our fight to secure the proper future of the club will continue," the CST statement began.

"The Chelsea Supporters Trust (CST) is appalled with the tone and insincerity of the statement issued by CFC today (00:51 GMT).

"We request a full and in-depth explanation as to why the board took the decision to turn their back on the European competition and for CFC to explain why they signed up to the Super League without prior consultation with their loyal supporters.

"We are disappointed that an apology has not been included in the statement. The legacy of our club was put at risk for what appears to have solely been for financial gain.

"The CST presently have little or no confidence in our current leadership at Board level. On Monday (19th), Bruce Buck (Chairman) extensively defended CFC's plan to remain in the Super League at a Fan's Forum meeting.

"Buck alongside Laurence (CEO) appears to have given no consideration towards the loyal supporters, so their positions would seem untenable moving forward.

"Our relations with CFC will remain frayed until we have a better understanding of why this decision happened and we are assured that change and safeguards are put in place.

The CST will not rest until we are comfortable that change and protections are put in place. 116 years of history was jeopardised. This is our club and will remain our club."

Who is on the board?

The Chelsea FC PLC board has only four members: Chairman Bruce Buck, director Marina Granovskaia, CEO Guy Laurence and Eugene Tenenbaum. The Football Club board is those four, along with David Barnard.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich is not on either board, but has the ultimate say over the biggest matters arising in west London.

During the protests at Stamford Bridge, Buck's name was particularly singled out for criticism.

Chelsea's statement

No resignations have been announced, but the club released the following statement late via their official website Tuesday night:

"As reported earlier this evening, Chelsea Football Club can confirm that it has begun the formal procedures for withdrawal from the group developing plans for a European Super League.

"Having joined the group late last week, we have now had time to consider the matter fully and have decided that our continued participation in these plans would not be in the best interests of the Club, our supporters or the wider football community."

Further reading

Nizaar Kinsella

Nizaar Kinsella Photo

Nizaar Kinsella is a Chelsea correspondent with experience covering international football at the World Cup and European Championships. He is a trusted voice within the Chelsea community, attending almost every game and having spent many years doing so. Coverage on Goal.com has seen him invited onto CNN, BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkSport and BeINSports to comment on the turbulent world of the Stamford Bridge club. He previously worked for the Daily Mirror and BBC Radio Manchester, as well as a period working in the UK charity sector.