Chelsea to defend Bates writ

Chelsea have vowed to “vigorously defend” a £2m (€2.9m) writ brought against them by Ken Bates as the row between the outgoing chairman and owner Roman Abramovich threatened to end in court.

Bates is suing Chelsea for up to £2m (€2.9m) for what he claims was a breach of the contract that he signed with Abramovich last summer during the Russian’s takeover.