Multi-club ownership is very much in fashion, especially in Ligue 1. It isn’t a phenomenon without resistance, however. A section of RC Strasbourg Alsace’s fanbase are veciferous in their opposition to BlueCo, who also own Chelsea.
FC Lorient find themselves in a multi-club model, too. Black Knight Football Club (BKFC) already had a share in the Breton club, but earlier this season, they became the main shareholder. There has been some opposition, with a banner opposing owner Bill Foley present in the stands.
Given the model at Strasbourg, there is fear at the Moustoir, only accentuated when they lost their biggest talent, Eli Junior Kroupi, to fellow-BKFC-owned club AFC Bournemouth. However, speaking in an interview with L’Équipe, Foley has sought to allay those concerns.
“We aren’t some horrible Americans who want to break everything,” began Foley. “Lorient isn’t a satellite club to Bournemouth. I don’t like that expression. It isn’t my vision,” added the Bournemouth and Lorient owner.
“In my mind, they are equals… maybe not in terms of revenue, but Lorient exists on its own as an important partner in our model,” added Foley. The American also announced European ambitions during his interview with L’Équipe and said that there would be the necessary investment in order to achieve their goal. This season, following promotion from Ligue 2, Les Merlus are ninth in Ligue 1 with five games remaining.
