Photo : Chelsea fans refer to ex-midfielder Mikel during protest against European Super League

Chelsea's English Premier League meeting with Brighton & Hove on Tuesday was delayed due to the late arrival of both teams to Stamford Bridge.

Supporters gathered at the stadium to voice their displeasure over Chelsea's plan to join the controversial European Super League - a 12-team competition that would have featured Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan, Arsenal, Chelsea, Inter, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

The protest by the Chelsea fans forced a delay to kickoff as they prevented the team bus from getting into the stadium.

Chelsea's performance and technical advisor Petr Cech attempted to speak to the protesting fans, urging them to let the bus go in.

Some of the fans held a banner referring to their former midfielder John Obi Mikel during the protest, which read 'Taking the Mikel'.

Sixteen years ago, the former Nigeria captain sparked a transfer fight between Manchester United and Chelsea, initially signing for the Red Devils but he eventually moved to the Blues a year later after the London club paid compensation.

Mikel spent ten and a half years with Chelsea, winning the Premier League twice, the FA Cup four times, the League Cup twice, the Champions League and Europa League.

The six Premier League teams, including Chelsea, have now withdrawn from the European Super League following huge backlash across the world.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : Ian West/PA