Chelsea’s First Black Player Is a Man Bidders All Want to Meet
- Paul Canoville runs a foundation that tackles racism
- Sale of Chelsea after Abramovich isn’t just focused on cash
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He was racially abused by his team’s own fans and then traded after just a few seasons. Now, as one of Europe’s biggest football clubs goes on sale, he’s a man potential buyers want to meet.
Paul Canoville was Chelsea’s first Black player in the febrile days of the early 1980s when English football crowds would regularly taunt team members of color. He’s involved with the London club through his foundation tackling racism, and at least three groups are aiming to bolster their bids by consulting him, according to people familiar with the situation.