UEFA fines Chelsea €31 million for breaching financial rules | OneFootball

UEFA has fined Chelsea Football Club €31 million and a further €60m conditionally for breaching its financial rules (h/t journalist Martyn Ziegler).

The Blues were in danger after surpassing UEFA’s financial loss limits for the previous season.

Chelsea have spent over £1.2 billion over the past three years, hoarding talent from across the globe.

The Blues escaped troubles in the Premier League after capitalising on a loophole in the Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Premier League rivals Everton and Nottingham Forest received point deductions.

However, Chelsea reportedly sold Stamford Bridge hotels and the women’s team to their parent company, BlueCo, to avoid sanctions.

Aston Villa joined Chelsea in using the accounting move to avoid issues with the Premier League, but they were unable to escape UEFA.

UEFA hit the Villains with an €11m and €15m conditional fine. Both clubs agreed to the settlements. Barcelona could be in the same boat.

However, while the fines to Chelsea and other clubs send a message, they do not go far enough, especially in the case of the Londoners.

The fine feels like a slap on the wrist for a club that has already spent over £140 million this summer.

That outlay is in addition to the staggering £1.2 billion they have spent since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Consortium takeover.

These are not the actions of a club trying to stay within limits. They are the signs of one deliberately gaming the system.

If UEFA and the Premier League want to preserve their credibility, they must penalise Chelsea and their ilk more severely. A symbolic fine will not curb reckless spending.