Peter Kenyon is to step down as chief executive of Chelsea from the end of next month, the English Premier League club said in a surprise announcement yesterday.
Kenyon will continue as a non-executive director and will represent the club in various committees of UEFA and the European Clubs’ Association, but his move from the senior executive position at the club will inevitably trigger speculation about possible differences with the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich.
In a statement announcing the switch, Kenyon confirmed that he would be looking for a new job, saying he felt he had “at least one major challenge left in me.”
Kenyon, who controversially left the chief executive’s job at Manchester United before joining Chelsea in February 2004, said: “I have been in football for 15 years and I can say with great certainty and pleasure the experience at Chelsea is one of the best I have had.”
Kenyon added: “I intend to take a little time off before considering what I do next but I am certain I have at least one major challenge left in me.”
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck implied Kenyon’s decision to leave had been his own.
“When Peter first joined us we knew we were recruiting a top executive from business generally, not just football,” Buck said. “With that always came a certain inevitability he would eventually want to seek a new challenge and I am sure that is what he will do.”
Kenyon’s time at Stamford Bridge has been one of unprecedented success for Chelsea, with the club’s emergence as a leading force in European soccer enabling the chief executive to negotiate record deals with sponsors including Samsung and Adidas.
But the running of the club has not all been plain-sailing with Chelsea embroiled in a seris of “tapping-up” scandals and the club’s youth program having conspicuously failed to provide a stream of talent to the first-team squad.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely