By John Essien
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly warned that clubs will no longer be able to sign players for “any price” due to the tightening of UEFA’s financial fair play restrictions.
Boehly led an investment group to take over the Blues last month after the UK Government reached agreement with former owner Roman Abramovich to put the club up for sale.
Recall that that the UK Government had sanctioned Abramovich over alleged link with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s acquisition ending a 19-year spell for the Russian with Chelsea.
Chelsea have been the most successful team in England since Abramovich bought the club in 2003, mostly due to the Russian’s investments.
But Boehly at the SuperReturn International conference in Berlin said: “Financial fair play is starting to get some teeth and that will limit the ability to acquire players at any price.
“UEFA takes it seriously and will continue to take it seriously. [More teeth] means financial penalties and disqualification from sporting competitions.”
Clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, Manchester City have found themselves in hot water over the issue of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations in the past.
In 2020, Manchester City were on the verge of a two-year ban from the Champions League for a serious breach of Uefa’s financial fair play rules.
However, the decision was overturned by the court of arbitration for sport, and the club’s fine reduced to €10m (£9m) from €30m.
