CHELSEA have been hit with an £8.6million fine for Financial Fair Play breaches stretching back to the Roman Abramovich era.
A Uefa probe into the club’s finances was opened after the Stamford Bridge outfit’s new owners, led by Todd Boehly, reported the issues last summer.
In a statement, Uefa said: “Following the club’s sale in May 2022, the new ownership identified, and proactively reported to Uefa, instances of potentially incomplete financial reporting under the club’s previous ownership.
“The reported matters related to historical transactions which took place between 2012 and 2019.”
While the precise nature of the infractions is not clear, it is understood that a number of relatively minor historical elements emerged during the sale process.
While there is believed to have been no deliberate attempts to circumvent the rules, the breaches were discovered.
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With Uefa having a three-year statute of limitations over FFP breaches, Chelsea only faced punishment for the rule-breaking in the 2018-2019 season.
Meanwhile, Italian giants Juventus have, as expected, been banned from this season’s Europa Conference League.
That is due to a “capital gains” transfer scam that saw them deducted 10 Serie A points to finish seventh.
Juve were also fined £17.2m, half of which was suspended if they comply with Uefa financial rules up until the end of the 2024-25 season.
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The Bianconeri’s European ban will last for a year and the club has confirmed there will be no appeal.
Juventus president Gianluca Ferrero said: “We regret the decision of the Uefa Club Financial Control Body.
“We do not share the interpretation that has been given of our defense, and we remain firmly convinced of the legitimacy of our actions and the validity of our arguments.
“However, we have decided not to appeal this judgment. This decision is in line with the one taken last May in the context of the disputes with the FIGC.
“As in that case, we prefer to put an end to the period of uncertainty and ensure full visibility and certainty to our internal and external stakeholders about the club’s participation in future international competitions.
“Lodging an appeal, possibly to other levels of judgement, with uncertain outcomes and timing, would increase the uncertainty with respect to our eventual participation in the 2024-25 Champions League.
“Instead, we want the first team, our fans, our sponsors, suppliers and financial partners to be able to experience the 2023-24 season with the utmost serenity and certainty with respect to the results achievable on the pitch, especially after the turbulent past season.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
