Chelsea fans urge Premier League to probe Boehly’s ticket site role

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Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has asked the Premier League to investigate Todd Boehly’s involvement in the ticket reselling website Vivid Seats.

In an open letter to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, CST say the Blues’ co-owner’s role as a Vivid Seats director will also owning a 13% stake in Chelsea represents “a clear conflict of interest”.

CST has also submitted evidence against the American company to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

“Many CST members are clearly infuriated by this connection and have written to us,” the letter states.

“As a director of Chelsea FC and part-owner, Mr Boehly’s connection with Vivid Seats is totally inappropriate and significantly undermines the efforts of Chelsea FC, the Premier League, and the Metropolitan Police to combat ticket touting.

“Mr Boehly has been contacted directly by the CST and has been offered multiple opportunities to both publicly and privately address supporters’ concerns.

“Neither Mr Boehly nor his representatives have, however, acted on these requests, and thousands of tickets remain for sale on the Vivid Seats website.”

Vivid, which enables overseas fans to buy tickets for between £90 and £20,000, has been listed as an ‘unauthorised ticketing website’ by the Premier League.

Chelsea’s official website, meanwhile, states that “ticket touting is illegal” and any tickets bought unofficially will be “invalid”, with fans “refused entry to the stadium”.

Vivid is legally allowed to operate overseas but not for UK users.

However, despite a pop-up disclaimer warning UK users “tickets for the EPL matches are not currently available for purchase in your location” it has been found that it is possible for UK users to then buy tickets.