The Chelsea Supporters' Trust has issued a response to rumours that the club were set to make betting and casino company, Stake, its new shirt sponsor for 12 months.
The organisation held a two-day poll for members to give their views on the report after it emerged that replacement for mobile giants Three as main sponsors would be a surprise one with Stake.
With Premier League rules prohibiting gambling companies from being sponsors beyond the 2024/25 season, Chelsea are said to be in final talks with Stake - who also sponsor Everton - over a short-term deal following the collapse of an agreement with an unnamed company in the cryptocurrency sector.
After it was said that German financial oragnisation Allianz were not willing to pay the £40 million per-season fee that Todd Boehly and Co have been keen to secure - matching that of the £120m across three years on the current contract - Stake have agreed to such a partnership.
With such an agreement being a stop-gap, CST sent a snap survey to fans in order to generate a quick response and have now revealed their findings. In a letter they wrote: "Dear Todd [Boehly], We are writing to you today regarding the ongoing reports that Chelsea Football Club is in final negotiations with the online casino and betting company - Stake.
"The reports allege that the organisation is set to become the new primary shirt sponsor on an initial one-year deal. The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST), on behalf of its members is writing to you today to express our views on these reports.
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"The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust does not believe that it is in the best interests of our members for Chelsea Football Club to associate with an online casino and betting company as the primary shirt sponsor."
The figures of the poll, which was taken part in by 3,297 fans, showed that 61.63% strongly disagreed with the use of an online casino and betting company as primary shirt sponsor while a further 15.83% disagreed.
Only 2.82% strongly agreed and 5.31% agreed. 14.41% were neutral but there was an overwhelming show of anger against the reported deal.
The letter continues: "Like all supporters, the CST is proud that our club has one of the most successful foundations in the country. The excellent work that the Chelsea Foundation does is highly commendable. It is vital that we continue to use the power of football to excite and motivate learners of all ages.
"In November 2022, The Chelsea Foundation pioneered an excellent programme that delivered arange of gambling harm awareness education workshops to schools in and around Hammersmith & Fulham. This work was rightly celebrated by the club and was shared across the website and social media.
"In April 2023, the club launched its Talk More Than Football campaign. A campaign that encouraged football supporters to open up about their mental health. Former players helped spread this poignant message and encouraged supporters to #TalkMoreThanFootball. It is also important to note Over the Line - a project pioneered by the CST to help Chelsea fans come to terms with theirown mental health issues and help them take the next step.
"The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust is therefore deeply concerned that only months after theseprogrammes were launched, CFC is linked to these recent media reports."
It also adds that having a gambling based sponsor would 'make a total mockery of much of the previous work pioneered by The Chelsea Foundation.'
Further statements include: "Todd, it is vital that you are fully aware that if these reports materialise, it will eradicate any good will built through previous campaigns completed by the CFC Foundation. We are writing to you today to ensure that you are fully aware of supporter sentiment on this issue when you make the decision on sponsorship."
There is also a plea to follow promises made when the club was purchased just over 12 months ago. The Trust added: "Prior to your acquisition of our club, we discussed with you how important it was for the new owner to build a club which is inclusive for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, sexuality, age or background.
"We agreed that Chelsea FC must be an inclusive and welcoming club for everyone ,and you hoped to create an open and caring community for the fans. The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust believes that this type of sponsor will alienate many supporters. It should be noted that Chelsea FC is a global leader that has a significant influence on people.
"This influence must never be misused to propagate a market to children that has such an adverse impact on people. Children are explicitly at risk and there are 105,000 British children already addicted to gambling or at risk of being so. Gambling sponsorship also strips away the freedom for young fans to wear the same shirt as their heroes and role models. This type of shirt sponsor makes it incredibly difficult for those who object on moral or religious grounds."
Should such a deal go through Chelsea would have to navigate strict rules that stop kits being sold to children with gambling related sponsors. When referencing the new rules set to come into play, CST wrote: "In April 2023, The Premier League announced that clubs had collectively agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of matchday shirts from the end of the 25/26 season.
"The Premier League introduced this regulation as a measure to reduce gambling advertising following an extensive consultation as part of the Government’s review of relevant legislation. If these media reports come to fruition, the CST believes that this would send an incredibly damning message.
"The use of gambling sponsorships devalues the image of the club and suggests that the incumbent board has accepted mediocrity. Our members expect the club to do much better than partner with an organisation that causes somuch destruction and distress."
The letter concludes with an anecdote from former Blues striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, who opened up on his issues with gambling recently and ends: "A sponsorship of this kind will only increase the gulf between Chelsea Football Club and many of its supporters.
"It is public knowledge that the sponsorship with Three was to expire this summer. The CST is disheartened and unsure as to why it has taken until June to reportedly establish this new sponsor? An online casino and betting company as the primary shirt sponsor is not in line with the commitment of growing and developing Chelsea FC as a “world-class” organisation.
"It is within the public domain that Stake’s most notable product is ‘online slots’, and it should be noted that online slots have an addiction or ‘at risk’ rate of 45%. We understand CFC’s desire to maximise revenue streams across the whole club. Whilst we accept that will happen, it must not take place at the expense of the club’s values.
"On June 8th, the ownership declared that it is “relentlessly focused on driving us forward.” The Chelsea Supporters Trust has confidence that you will not divert from this commitment, especially at a time when the supporters are enormously deflated following a very disappointing season.
"We would welcome further consultation on this subject and look forward to further dialogue."
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