Chelsea's plans to leave Stamford Bridge were dealt a setback Thursday after shareholders voted not to hand control of the stadium to owner Roman Abramovich.
The Russian oligarch wanted to buy back the ownership rights from Chelsea Pitch Owners so the land could be sold to fund a move into a new stadium.
''He is disappointed,'' Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said. ''I want Chelsea to be ... one of the handful of top clubs in Europe and if it requires moving to a new stadium we would do that.''
Inside the stadium where Chelsea has been based throughout its 106-year history, Abramovich's bid was only backed by 62 percent of the 5,796 votes cast when it required 75 percent approval.
The Blues have been considering sites on which they could build a 60,000-seat stadium to replace the current 41,800-capacity Stamford Bridge, which is only the eighth largest in the Premier League.
A larger venue would boost income to help comply with UEFA's new financial controls by bringing in higher ticket sales.
CPO was set up in the 1990s to prevent property developers buying the land when the club's finances were struggling.
Abramovich transformed Chelsea after his 2003 takeover, investing hundreds of millions of dollars to help the club end a 50-year title drought in the league.
Despite that investment, Thursday's vote showed that fans are still willing to defy Abramovich's plans.
''Chelsea fans are very emotional and have a strong attachment to Stamford Bridge, and the traditions and history of this club,'' Buck said.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay also announced Thursday that the club is still trying to sell the naming rights for Stamford Bridge.
