Chelsea owners attacked by Strasbourg ultras as angry statement calls for 'abuse' to end

Strasbourg have welcomed a number of Chelsea players, both on loan and in permanent deals, since investment arrived from the Premier League side's owners BlueCo. Fans have been against the situation from the start, though, and continue to voice their frustrations at the start of the new Ligue 1 season.

Kendry Paez and Mike Penders are among the Chelsea players to join Strasbourg on loan this summer as the French side prepare for European football. Fan group The Ultra Boys 90 remain angry, though, and attacked the higher-ups from Todd Boehly's group in a fresh statement while calling for footballing authorities to intervene.

"The transfer window carried out so far proves to the point of absurdity that Racing [the club's full name is Racing Club Strasbourg Alsace] is no longer a club that makes decisions in its own interest," the statement read, as translated by Goal. "On the contrary, we are witnessing a headlong rush where Chelsea is calling the shots to the detriment of our club's independence.

"The problem with timeshare ownership is profound; it's a destructive logic that transforms historic clubs into interchangeable parts of a globalised portfolio, and this system is becoming widespread. Our legislators must quickly address this issue to put an end to the abuses it causes.

"We have always defended a deeply rooted, grassroots football, driven by vibrant stands and a unique history. Today, they are trying to impose a model on us where clubs are run like fast-food franchises. The current good results must not blind us or interfere in our fight, which goes far beyond the culture of the moment and short-term visions of what Racing offers on the pitch."

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Strasbourg finished seventh in Ligue 1 last term, and were in contention for Champions League qualification until late in the season. However, this hasn't changed the fan group's feelings.

"What is happening within our club is too serious for us to pretend that everything is fine in the face of authentic football, which is dying," they added. "We will continue to denounce all the excesses of timeshare ownership and interference in our club."

The feelings are consistent with comments made when investment arrived back in 2023. "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," the same fan group said at the time.

Strasbourg won their Ligue 1 opener on Sunday, beating Metz 1-0. Penders started in goal and Paez came off the bench, but it was another new signing - Argentine forward Joaquin Panichelli - who scored the winner.

Liam Rosenior's side will now take on Brondby in the Conference League before returning to league action against Nantes on Sunday. Danish outfit Brondby overcame a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Vikingur Rejkjavik of Iceland to book their place in the play-off.

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