TIME OUT

Chelsea fire director

LONDON: Chelsea have reportedly fired one of their top directors. The Sun said on Wednesday that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich ordered Paul Smith, who was in charge of business affairs and development, to leave the club last weekend. Smith organised and attended the team’s preseason tour of the United States, and was also in charge of Chelsea’s attempts to establish their brand in Asia, including the launch of the club’s Chinese language Web site. — AP