Kieran Maguire: Chelsea fans 'angry' at new boardroom controversy

Kieran Maguire: Chelsea fans 'angry' at new boardroom controversy

Kieran Maguire

Kieran joined the Football Insider squad in January 2021 and provides clarity for readers on the occasionally bewildering world of football finance. He is an author, university lecturer and all-round spreadsheet boffin. His 2020 book The Price of Football is a seminal work on the economic side of the beautiful game.

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The 'anger' and 'frustration' of Chelsea fans is understandable after the board discussed withdrawing subsidies for coaches to away games.

That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the 'ill-judged' decision from the Blues' board.

As reported by Henry Winter, frustration is growing among Chelsea fans with the London club considering cutting funding to help away fans travel to matches.

The new ownership group at Stamford Bridge opted to help fans financially when it comes to away game travel, but that funding could be cut this season.

The decision could be made despite Chelsea spending record-breaking amounts under Todd Boehly in the transfer window - including £300million on new arrivals this summer.

Maguire cited Chelsea's £50million payment to Bruce Buck and Marina Granovskaia as another example of the club's endless spending over the last 18 months.

"You can understand the anger of Chelsea fans who have been able to travel to matches by coaches," Maguire told Football Insider's Sean Fisher.

"I think the price has been subsidised by the club, but given the amount of money they have spent on other things the frustration is understandable.

"For example, Chelsea paid £50million to Bruce Buck and Marina Granovskaia for their role in the takeover process.

"It seems like a very ill-judged move at a time when the club has not been delivering on the pitch for the fans.

"They still benefit from fans giving their unequivocal support to the team at matches."

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