Chelsea fans have accused Todd Boehly of a “breach of trust” over his co-ownership of a website involved in the “unauthorised” resale of tickets to his own club’s matches.

Members of the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) suggested Boehly’s connection to the United States-based Vivid Seats, of which he is a director, could also be a “conflict of interest”.

CST released the results of a survey regarding touting and the resale of tickets on third-party websites two days after Telegraph Sport exclusively revealed that Vivid Seats listed tickets for matches involving Chelsea and other Premier League clubs for tens of thousands of pounds.

Vivid Seats is on the Premier League’s list of “unauthorised ticketing websites” and, although it does not allow fans based in Britain to either buy or sell tickets – a practice which would be illegal – it does permit foreign-based users to tout them.

It also charges 10 per cent commission and a service fee reported to run from 20 to 40 per cent of the original price, raising the prospect of Boehly profiting from activity his own club have repeatedly denounced.

CST said in a statement: “Vivid Seats currently lists hundreds of Chelsea FC General Admission tickets at significantly inflated prices.

“Within the recent CST ticket-touting survey, many CST members suggested that Mr Boehly’s connection with Vivid Seats is a ‘breach of trust’ and could be a conflict of interest.

“These recent reports are very disappointing, and it is within Mr Boehly’s best interests to investigate these issues and address supporters’ concerns – we do not believe it is appropriate for any Chelsea tickets or wider Premier League tickets to be listed on the Vivid Seats website.”

The CST survey found only 17 per cent of supporters had confidence in Chelsea to combat touting, and fewer than 10 per cent believe enough was being done to confront it.

‘The lifeblood of Chelsea FC’

The trust added: “The alarming findings of this survey have indicated that supporters do not have faith or trust in Chelsea FC to combat ticket touting and that the club has failed to protect its loyal supporters from the ongoing exploitation of ticket touting.

“It is vital that the club provides immediate reassurances to supporters and must demonstrate that they are taking effective action to combat ticket touting.

“Despite warnings from the CST, the trend of data indicates that supporters have become increasingly dissatisfied with anti-touting measures in place at Chelsea FC over the past two to three years. Now is the time to take proper, meaningful steps to address this. This is not simply about ticketing, this is about respecting and protecting the lifeblood of Chelsea FC – its supporters.”

Chelsea and a representative of Boehly have been approached for comment.

Man City fans accuse club of pricing them out with ‘loyalty tax’ on tickets

Manchester City supporter groups want season-ticket prices frozen and a ‘loyalty tax’ removed by chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

Seven fan organisations have sent a strongly worded letter to Khaldoon outlining fears of being priced out of attending the Etihad Stadium because of the current season-ticket pricing model.

City insist their ticketing products are competitive and reflect their match-day revenue compared to other big clubs. They have also promised to listen to the views of fans amid their concerns heading into the 2025-26 campaign.

“By making it practically impossible to obtain a standard season ticket, ticketing-policy decision-makers at Manchester City are severing the generational link between fans and their club,” read the letter.

“In each of the last two seasons, the club has made profit in excess of £70 million. In this instance, we believe that you can have your cake and eat it. We do not need to extract excessive and ever-increasing revenue from loyal supporters.”

The letter is signed by City Matters, 1894, MCFC Fans Foodbank Support, Solid Citizens, Canal Street Blues, Manchester City Disabled Supporters Association and Trade Union Blues. They highlight City’s “Flexi Gold” scheme in which fans can buy the same seat three weeks before each home game, or choose not to.

“Flexi-Gold” has an annual fee of £150, which fans have asked to be removed. “In practical terms, fans are therefore being charged an additional £150 tax for being loyal to the club they love,” the letter read.

It added: “Manchester City supporters may be priced out of supporting their side due to the club’s ticketing-policy decisions –whether through financial hardship or that they simply deem a season card no longer value for money. Some have already suffered this fate.”

City were second in Deloitte’s Football Money League in 2025, but their match-day revenue that year was £88 million, compared to clubs such as Manchester United, who brought in £152.1 million, or Real Madrid’s £247.6 million.

“Manchester City remains committed to always offering a range of competitive ticketing products, to suit all budgets. We will continue to strive to achieve the right ticket-pricing balance,” said a City spokesperson.

“That approach is clearly reflected in the comparative size of our match-day revenues relative to other leading clubs. It is also reflected in the proportion of the club’s overall income that match-day revenues make up. We will always listen to the views of our fans and reflect their needs wherever possible.”