Chelsea fans backed to ‘boycott’ the club and turn on the board in ‘toxic’ twist – Keith Wyness
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has warned Chelsea chiefs about the potential for the club’s “aggressive and disgruntled” fanbase to “boycott” Stamford Bridge.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested things are “going sour” with the Blues after a stuttering period since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital bought the club.
Tensions have run high at recent home games with chairman Boehly on the receiving end of much of the criticism.
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust wrote an open letter to the ownership last month, claiming the club has become a “laughing stock on and off the pitch”.
They expressed frustration at the increase in matchday costs and complained about a lack of communication between the board and fans – also claiming the situation is nearing “irreversible toxicity”.
Chelsea fans could walk away in ‘toxic’ anti-Boehly protest, says Wyness
Mauricio Pochettino’s side sit 10th in the Premier League table and suffered a disappointing loss against a second-string Liverpool in the League Cup final in February.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “The Chelsea fans are paying a lot of money for their tickets.
“If a few of those start a boycott because they’re against the board, and the hospitality doesn’t fill up – it’s a lot of money gone very quickly.
“It’s an aggressive fanbase, and rightly so. They had fantastic football and success during Abramovich’s time.
“So they’re now used to it.
“I can see the fanbase becoming very disgruntled and vocal very quickly. They’re a very professional fanbase, with lawyers and bankers who can give you a very hard time in the media.
“The fan now has greater power in terms of dictating what happens with their club. Protests come very quickly, and you can see it starting to go sour at Chelsea.”
In other news, Chelsea expect “huge fan backlash” after transfer update.
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