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UEFA issue Chelsea statement over Champions League ban

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Back in July, the reigning Club World Cup winners were handed a £27 million fine for breaching UEFA’s financial regulations, specifically those related to football earnings and the squad cost ratio. ..Continue Reading

Chelsea had disclosed a squad cost ratio exceeding 80% for the 2024 financial year, but they reached a settlement with UEFA to address the issue and avoid further penalties.

In a statement released afterwards, Chelsea said: “Chelsea FC greatly values its relationship with UEFA and considered it important to bring this matter to a swift conclusion by entering into a settlement agreement.”

Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports reported that under the terms of Chelsea’s financial settlement with UEFA, the club could only include new signings in their Champions League squad if the cost of those transfers was balanced by selling players who had featured in last season’s Conference League-winning team.

To comply, Chelsea parted ways with Noni Madueke, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Christopher Nkunku, and Nicolas Jackson, generating a record £314 million in transfer revenue.

This financial maneuver enabled the club to successfully register newcomers Alejandro Garnacho, Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and Jorrel Hato for the Champions League, meeting UEFA’s requirements without any complications.

In a statement, UEFA said: “The squad list submitted fulfilled the criteria of the settlement agreement and it was therefore already reviewed and approved before publication on UEFA’s website.”

If Chelsea had failed to meet UEFA’s financial requirements, they could have faced a penalty exceeding £70 million.

However, by offloading 23 players and securing an £18 million profit—despite investing £296 million in new talent—the club has positioned itself well for the upcoming Champions League season, a tournament they’ve won twice before.

Their 23-man squad was officially revealed on Wednesday, drawing attention with the inclusion of Alejandro Garnacho, who recently arrived from Manchester United and was listed among the forwards.

Notably absent was Facundo Buonanotte, signed on loan from Brighton. The Argentine had voiced his enthusiasm about competing on Europe’s biggest stage, but he didn’t make the cut for the squad.

Chelsea will have the opportunity to revise their squad with up to three changes in January, provided they advance beyond the league phase.

Under manager Enzo Maresca, the Blues begin their campaign on September 17 against Bayern Munich. Interestingly, Nicolas Jackson—who transferred to Bayern on deadline day—will be eligible to play against his former club.

Their group stage fixtures also include matchups with Benfica, Ajax, Qarabag, Barcelona, Atalanta, Pafos, and Napoli.

Chelsea’s squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen

Defenders: Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Jorell Hato, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana

Midfielders: Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens, Dario Essugo, Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo

Forwards: Pedro Neto, Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Marc Guiu, Estevao, Alejandro Garnacho

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04/09/2025
Roman Abramovich breaks silence on controversial Chelsea sale with return hint in rare public statement

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Three years after severing ties with the Premier League club, the British government continues to push for legal action to ensure the sale proceeds are directed toward victims of the conflict in Ukraine. ..Continue Reading

Abramovich was sanctioned following Russia’s invasion in 2022 and subsequently sold Chelsea, a two-time Champions League winner, to a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital for £2.5 billion in May of that year.

In his new book, Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC, the 58-year-old reflects on his departure from the club he helped transform over two decades.

When asked about Chelsea and the future, Abramovich said: ‘Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that.

‘I don’t have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role.

‘There might be something where I could help with academies and youngsters, giving greater opportunities to people from difficult backgrounds, if there were an initiative that could make a difference.

‘But as for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime.’

Before finalizing the sale, Abramovich stated that the net proceeds would be directed to a charitable foundation aimed at supporting all victims of the war in Ukraine.

However, the funds have remained frozen in a bank account, with the British government asserting that they have yet to reach those in need.

Earlier this month, Treasury chief Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a joint statement confirming that the government is prepared to take legal action to ensure the money is properly allocated.

‘The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion. We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far,’ they said.

‘While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.’

Abramovich faced sanctions when the British government, under then-Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, took action against individuals with alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, labeling them as “oligarchs and kleptocrats” involved in his aggression.

Despite the sale of Chelsea, the proceeds remain Abramovich’s property, though they are frozen and cannot be accessed or transferred without approval from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation.

In his upcoming book, Abramovich addresses the accusations against him, stating that he refuses to let them become a distraction.

‘There is an old Russian saying, ‘The dogs bark but the caravan keeps moving,’ and that fits here,’ he also told the book’s author, Nick Purewal.

‘Whatever I do, people will always accuse me of some kind of agenda. In the end, I have done what I have done simply to try to help.’

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11/06/2025
Barcelona release statement on Marcus Rashford transfer as Man Utd exit beckons

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Rashford was sent out on loan to Aston Villa in January after Ruben Amorim decided he was surplus to requirements at Manchester United. ..Continue Reading

Despite delivering strong performances at Villa Park, the option to make his move permanent for £40 million seems unlikely to be exercised.

The 27-year-old remains focused on securing a move to a Champions League club, with Barcelona emerging as his preferred destination.

Following Villa’s defeat at Old Trafford on the final day of the season, Unai Emery’s side is unable to offer Rashford the European football he desires.

Rumors linking him to Barcelona persist, and the club’s sporting director, Deco, recently addressed the situation in an interview.

Deco emphasized that Barcelona has no intention of selling their top players and confirmed that the club is planning to make a few key signings rather than engaging in excessive spending.

When questioned about whether Barcelona’s plans included signing Rashford, or Liverpool forward Luis Diaz, he said: “We have been focusing on renewing contracts, after that, we’ll discuss players to come.

“Of course, these two players, like you mentioned, they are good but have contracts in their clubs, so we won’t speak because it’s not fair. But when you decide to go to the market, for sure, we find some names. In my opinion, we don’t need to bring many players.”

Deco added: “When I speak with the agents of the players, everyone wants to come or stay. So this is important. The image of the club is still good.

“We are proud because Barcelona is still such a big club, and the way we are playing football makes players want to come.”

He also downplayed suggestions that the club is facing financial issues, but acknowledged that they must be strategic in the transfer market.

As a result, Barcelona may view Rashford as a shrewd signing, given his modest £40m price tag this summer for a player who is worth much more when he’s at his best.

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04/06/2025