Strasbourg ultras have once again hit out at Chelsea in a strongly-worded statement and remain angry at their lack of 'independence'.

• BlueCo has majority stake in Strasbourg
• Fans unhappy with situation
• Issue angry statement at start of season

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chelsea's owners acquired a majority stake in Ligue 1 club Strasbourg in June 2023. The relationship between the clubs has seen Chelsea send a number of players to the French side on loan including Mamadou Sarr, Kendry Paez and Mike Penders. 

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The arrivals of BlueCo at Strasbourg has been met with hostility by sections of the support and there's still plenty of ill-feeling around despite a seventh-placed finish last season that secured Europa League football. A summer of heavy spending has followed but tensions remain. The Ultra Boys 90 group has now issued a new statement attacking the club's ownership ahead of their first game of the season.

• WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  The Ultra Boys said in a statement: "The transfer window carried out so far proves to the point of absurdity that Racing is no longer a club that makes decisions in its own interest. 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 globalized 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. 

  "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. We will continue to denounce all the excesses of timeshare ownership and interference in our club."

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• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  The Ultra Boys also confirmed they will continue to hold a 15 minute silence at the Meinau Stadium during games in protest "until further notice".

Tags: Futebol
Category: News