Chelsea Chairman Bruce Buck Set To Remain In Role After Club Sale

Bruce Buck is set to remain Chelsea chairman as part of a prospective new-look board.

A consortium led by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly has agreed a £4.25bn deal to buy the club from Roman Abramovich.

The deal is subject to approval from the Premier League and UK government.

But Buck, 76, is set to be joined by Boehly on the board, with journalist Daniel Finkelstein and public relations executive Barbara Charone taking roles as non-executive directors.

It is not yet clear whether director Marina Granovskaia will join them, but she has been a key transfer and contract negotiator during Abramovich’s reign.

She would provide added continuity after Chelsea were prevented from doing business because of sanctions imposed on the club.

It is understood British businessman Jonathan Goldstein, who is also part of the consortium, will not have a seat on the board.

Goldstein, who is the chief executive of a real estate investment firm, is a close associate of Boehly. However, sources have suggested he would prefer to take a less high-profile position given some fans opposed his involvement because he is a Tottenham supporter.

Meanwhile, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) wants the government to amend its operating licence for the club so tickets can be sold for the Blues’ last two Premier League home games against Leicester and Watford.

Tickets have been allowed to go on sale for Champions League and FA Cup games, including the final at Wembley on Saturday, after amendments to the government’s operating licence since Abramovich was sanctioned.

But no money has been allowed to go to the club, and only season-ticket holders have been able to attend Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge.

Now terms have been agreed for Boehly’s consortium to buy Chelsea, CST said “the logic of preventing Chelsea members from purchasing tickets for home Premier League games becomes even more tenuous”.

It added in a statement: “Allowing sales of FA Cup and Champions League tickets, but not those for the Premier League, was an irrational decision and punished loyal supporters from attending league home fixtures.

“Given the significant change in circumstances reflected in the ownership announcement, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust board calls on the department of culture, media and sport to immediately amend the ‘special licence’, and for tickets to Chelsea’s last two home games this season to be sold by the club to members.

“Supporters must not be punished.”

Source: BBC