Chelsea: Todd Boehly apologises for Ted Lasso’s Ray Wilkins controversy but blames Abramovich regime
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly apologises – but pins the blame on Roman Abramovich’s regime – for the ‘disrespectful’ editing of club legend Ray Wilkins’ banner in Ted Lasso, in a rare public statement
- Ted Lasso bosses tweaked the banner to fit character Roy Kent in its new episode
- Chelsea fans were left incensed by the edit and took aim at US owner Boehly
- Yet Boehly claims Roman Abramovich’s regime agreed the deal with Apple TV
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Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has blamed the previous Blues regime for sanctioning the change to a tribute for club legend Ray Wilkins which featured in an episode of Ted Lasso and supporters labelled ‘disrespectful’.
Chelsea fans funded a Stamford Bridge banner for Wilkins, their former player and coach, after his death in April 2018 aged 61. The banner reads: ‘They don’t make them like Ray any more.’
However, in the Apple TV series the text was edited to reference Roy Kent, a former Chelsea player in the show, causing anger.
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust said in a statement on Wednesday: ‘Many supporters have seen this edit to be disrespectful and we have expressed our disappointment to club officials.’ But Boehly said on Friday: ‘We had nothing to do with these arrangements. The deal with Apple was struck in the first quarter of 2022 (before his consortium bought the club from Roman Abramovich). We are sorry it affected so many and mostly we care about Ray and his family.’
Chelsea have used players and head coach Graham Potter to promote the show ahead of the club’s fictional clash against AFC Richmond, but Boehly added: ‘None of the “Chelsea” players (used in the episode) were actual Chelsea players. Hopefully that was clear.’
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly (left) has issued an apology after Ted Lasso producers doctored a tribute to club legend Ray Wilkins (right) at Stamford Bridge
Blues fans were left furious after Wilkins’ banner was edited in the latest Ted Lasso episode to fit character Roy Kent
The real banner at Stamford Bridge actually reads ‘They don’t make them like Ray anymore’
Boehly apologised on Twitter over the banner controversy before pinning the blame on the previous Roman Abramovich regime
Wilkins played more than 200 times for Chelsea between 1973-1979, while also enjoying several spells as assistant manager, working with coaches such as Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti.
While a coach at Stamford Bridge, the former England international won the Premier League in 2009-10 and three FA Cup trophies.
After he passed away in 2018, Chelsea unveiled the aforementioned banner in his honour, which still stands at home games.
The airing of the Ted Lasso episode sparked widespread controversy with Blues fans quick to slam the club’s hierarchy and the TV show, which airs on Apple TV.
Ted Lasso is a sports-comedy series which sees a US coach manage a fictional Premier League
Boehly claims Abramovich and Co were responsible for landing the deal with Apple TV
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust said: ‘RE: Ray Wilkins Banner This is a banner paid for by supporters to commemorate a Chelsea legend: Ray Wilkins.
‘Many supporters have seen this edit to be disrespectful, and we have expressed our disappointment to club officials. We expect that CFC will address this in due course.’
Meanwhile, one supporter expressed their anger on Twitter and said: ‘NOW THIS is disgusting. Incredibly disrespectful to edit a banner of the late Ray Wilkins. Hugely concerning and embarrassing to think that Chelsea would have sanctioned this.’
Another added: ‘Yeah this ain’t it, all for Chelsea and it’s likeness being used in Ted Lasso but Ray Wilkins is a Chelsea legend who can’t even consent to his banner being changed. How they thought this would go down well I’ll never know….’
A further infuriated supporter added: ‘This is absolutely disgusting, editing over the Ray Wilkins banner to “Roy” for a TV publicity stunt with Ted Lasso, extremely disrespectful.’
Nevertheless, following his response on social media some fans are now leaping to Boehly’s defence, insisting he should not be blamed for the Ted Lasso edit.
Chelsea supporters slammed the decision to switch up the banner, labelling it ‘disgusting’
One wrote: ‘Some people were quick to blame the ownership’.
Another said: ‘Turns out it wasn’t even their fault. Chelsea fans on twitter and being reactionary’.
A third commented: ‘If it had nothing to do with the owners, not sure there is any blame to be appointed towards someone. Not sure apple or whoever edited realised the emotion around Ray and his chelsea legacy. Let it be now , As long as Ray’s family are content , we as fans should be also.’
While another concluded: ‘People were losing it on Boehly and Co. for something that the previous administration planned.
‘Unfortunately, it’s easy for people to slander, and hard for people to apologize.’
