BlueCo Out: Chelsea and Strasbourg fans to protest against their common owner in April

Chelsea FC and RC Strasbourg supporters are uniting for a protest against their shared owner, BlueCo, on April 18, to challenge the detrimental effects of multi-club ownership.

Chelsea and Strasbourg fans to protest against their common owner in April

European football is set to experience a significant moment as the supporters of Chelsea FC and RC Strasbourg have declared a joint protest against their common owner, BlueCo. This protest will mark a significant movement in the fight against the multi-club ownership model, which the fans feel is depriving the clubs of their traditional identities and bringing in cultural issues within football clubs. The protest is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th, ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

One appeal: BlueCo Out

The London-based protest group NotAProjectCFC has partnered with the four Strasbourg support fans' organisations, Ultra Boys 90, Kop Ciel et Blanc, Federation des Supporters du RCS, and Pariser to make this a significant event.

In a joint statement, the groups have given out a unified message of "BlueCo Out".

"We have decided to come together to take action with one clear, unified message... We plan to shine a light on not only the incompetence and mismanagement at Chelsea, but also the restrictions implemented by multi-club ownership," they said."

Read also: Arsenal vs Manchester City, Carabao Cup 2026 final: When and where to watch in India?

The breaking points

There have been tensions within the clubs and among the fan organisations as well, but several recent events have pushed the fan bases to their limits.

Strasbourg fans are frustrated by a recruitment policy focused exclusively on youth development. The mid-season transfer of coach Liam Rosenier from Strasbourg to Chelsea in January 2026 served as the ultimate proof for many that the French team is being treated as a secondary training ground for Chelsea.

Read also: AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026: Japan clinch their third title in the last four editions by beating Australia 1-0 in the final.

While supporters in the Alsace region of the club feel their historic club is being deprived of its own identity.

In the meantime, Chelsea fans feel that there has been a continued erosion of values, and despite billions spent in the transfer window, the mediocre performance just proved them right. Chelsea have already been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 after getting thrashed by PSG. They are also in sixth place in the Premier League and unlikely to win anything this season.

On the other hand, RC Strasbourg are placed 8th in Ligue 1. They remain six points adrift of a European spot.

Share