The Chelsea Supporters' Trust has responded quickly to reports that online betting company and casino, Stake, are set to become the club's new sponsor on a one-year deal.
It first emerged on Thursday night that the gambling company had moved into position to become temporary shirt sponsors after a deal with an unnamed company in the crypto sector fell through.
Chelsea's current sponsors, mobile phone giants Three, are not extending their three-year partnership with the club and will cease to be affiliated after the contract ends on June 30.
Although rules prohibiting the use of gambling-related sponsors on Premier League shirts do not come into play until the end of the 2025/26 season, the choice to engage with Stake, who also sponsor Everton, has raised eyebrows and received major backlash.
Chelsea's foundation ran a gambling awareness scheme with scholars visiting schools as recently as November and the decision to now be prepared to partner with a company that works against such a message has received widespread criticism from fans online.
The offer from Stake is said to be preferred over Allianz after pitching more money with a reportedy £40 million per season fee. Three paid Chelsea around £120 million over the course of their three-year partnership.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Done deal, Moises Caicedo 'close', Declan Rice hijack, Havertz exit
The trust have now reacted to the news with a snap pole being sent to members. In an email, CST wrote: "According to reports, Chelsea Football Club are in final negotiations with an online casino and betting company to become the new primary shirt sponsors on an initial one-year deal.
"The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has today issued an urgent question to its membership to ascertain views and opinion on this matter.
"The survey will be open until Saturday 17 June 09:00 BST."
The survey consists of two simple questions. One is a multiple choice selection: "Which of the following statements comes closer to your thinking about the use of an online casino and betting company as a primary shirt sponsor."
There is also a box to give further thoughts on the proposed deal.
A Chelsea Supporters’ Trust spokesperson said: “We are currently ascertaining the views of our members on this issue. “We will communicate our position in due course.”
Chelsea's new owners announced earlier this year that they were appointing a new Fan Advisory Board with the goal to "help fulfil our promise to be pioneers in fan engagement."
The statement added: "Their focus will be on the club’s strategic vision and objectives, as well as medium- and long-term decision making. Lord Daniel Finkelstein OBE, one of the Chelsea FC board directors, will have strategic oversight of the FAB, with the group meeting at least three times a year with Chelsea FC board members, senior club executives and head of supporter relations Cat Smith."
The latest decision has called into question the effectiveness of the board and also the thought process and ultimate aims of the owners.
Who should Chelsea keep or sell this summer? Have your say below!
READ NEXT:
Supercomputer predicts Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Premier League 2023/24 table after fixtures
Chelsea have already signed the 'new Lionel Messi' as dream Enzo Fernandez partner found
