Chelsea
The Ultra Boys 90, a prominent Strasbourg fan group, faced a setback during their protest against the club’s ownership by BlueCo. In a recent match against Lyon, the group planned to display a banner criticizing Chelsea’s influence over Strasbourg. However, security officials at the stadium prohibited the banner, citing the inclusion of the word ‘Chelsea’ as the reason for its rejection.
Ultra Boys 90 stated: “Chelsea doesn’t decide what’s going on at Strasbourg. For tonight’s match against Lyon, we had a banner to display in the stands: ‘Chelsea doesn’t decide what happens at Racing 01.09.2024.’ This banner was refused entry to the stadium during security checks, as if simple quotes don’t belong in the stands. United to Win Ultra Boys 90.”
The banner’s message referenced an interview with Strasbourg president Marc Keller, who in September 2024, expressed his ambition to secure European football qualifications for the club. Despite achieving this goal by finishing seventh and qualifying for the UEFA Conference League, Keller refuted claims that Strasbourg had become a ‘feeder club’ for Chelsea, despite ongoing business relations between the two clubs.
The denial of the banner was not the only incident during the match. According to reports from French outlet L’Équipe, tensions escalated among home fans in the West Stand following a silent protest by Ultra Boys 90. The confrontation led to clashes, with one fan vocally opposing the political nature of the protest. Surveillance footage of the incident has been handed over to authorities, and investigations are underway.
This incident highlights the ongoing discontent among Strasbourg supporters regarding the club’s ownership and its perceived influence from Chelsea. The situation underscores the complexities and challenges faced by clubs involved in multi-club ownership models, particularly when fan sentiments and club management strategies diverge.
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