Travel company Trivago insist they will not be cutting ties with Chelsea as a number of sponsors began to distance themselves from the club in light of the UK Government’s sanctions against Roman Abramovich.
Chief sponsors Three confirmed they had “temporarily suspended” their deal with the world and European champions, asking for their logo to be removed from shirts and around Stamford Bridge.
However, asked by i whether they would be following suit, Trivago – whose logo appears on Chelsea’s training kit for the men’s, women’s and academy teams – said it was “important to us to continue supporting the club, the fans and community along with the essential work that the Chelsea Foundation does to help those in need”.
Describing the uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership as “challenging”, Trivago added: “We will provide any update to our business relationship if and when appropriate.”
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By then, Chelsea had already lost the support of one of their leading charity partners Plan International, who said they were “bringing forward the closure” of their partnership which had been due to end in May this year.
Kit manufacturer Nike, which has nine years remaining on its £60m-per-year deal with Chelsea, has not publicly commented but has declined to throw its support behind the club, casting that partnership into doubt.
Sleeve sponsor Hyundai are among the other brands currently “assessing” the situation, with Zapp and Parimatch also reportedly considering their association with the club.
The sanctions placed on Abramovich, in which the Government froze his assets on Thursday, prevent Chelsea from buying players or offering new contracts.
Chelsea sponsors
Cutting ties
- Three
- Plan International
Under review
- Hyundai
- Zapp
- Parimatch
Sticking with the club
- Trivago
Unclear
- Nike (Nike have refused repeated requests for comment)
- Vitality Health Insurance
- Fiserv
- Cadbury
The club are currently banned from selling tickets (though existing season-tickets will be honoured) or merchandise, with the Stamford Bridge Megastore closing its doors around 11am on Thursday morning.
A £20,000 limit has been placed on travel costs to their away matches, while the fees for holding home matches will be limited to £500,000. The club is also unable to refurbish or redevelop Stamford Bridge of the Cobham training ground.
The full impact of the sanctions against Abramovich has raised concerns about the long-term financial viability of the club he took over in 2003.
Chelsea have been given a special license to continue operating – in itself outside the normal realms of a company whose owner’s assets have been frozen.
It is understood that the sale of the club will still be permitted and that a number of prospective new owners are still interested, though the Government have stipulated that “under no circumstances” will the proceeds go to Abramovich.
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