Chelsea fans slam ‘disrespectful’ Ted Lasso producers over Ray Wilkins banner change
Chelsea supporters have branded the makers of Apple TV show Ted Lasso “disrespectful” after they changed a tribute to late club legend Ray Wilkins.
In the latest episode of the programme, the character Kent returns to his former side Chelsea and the camera pans to a banner inside Stamford Bridge that reads: “They don’t make them like Roy anymore.”
It appears producers of the show have doctored a banner dedicated to Wilkins, who died aged 61 in 2018 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Wilkins played more than 200 times for Chelsea between 1973-1979 and was also assistant manager to Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti.
He won three FA Cups at Chelsea, the Premier League in 2009-10 and was also a season-ticket holder at Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust have expressed their disappointment to Chelsea about the banner being changed.
A Chelsea Supporters’ Trust spokesperson said: “This is a banner paid for by supporters to commemorate a Chelsea legend - Ray Wilkins.
If genuine and if the club signed this off then it’s very poor from them.
Altering a banner (paid for and designed by supporters) which commemorates a Chelsea legend who has passed away, all for the sake of a club marketing campaign. Complete lack of respect and understanding. https://t.co/xcqkIFz0kT pic.twitter.com/25X4y5BSdo— WE ARE THE SHED ⭐⭐ (@WeAre_TheShed) March 22, 2023
“Many supporters have seen this edit to be disrespectful, and we have expressed our disappointment to club officials.
“We expect that Chelsea will address this in due course.”
'It’s time he faces a proper club.' 💬
Graham Potter vs @TedLasso! #CFCvsAFCRichmond ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/uZkZpxdcCA— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 21, 2023
Chelsea have been promoted the new episode “I Don’t Want to Go to Chelsea” through branded social media posts featuring video content from both manager Graham Potter and midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Both Chelsea and Apple TV have been approached for comment.