UEFA Warn Chelsea

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

Guardian

Uefa warns Chelsea and Manchester City over huge losses

• Chelsea and City could be barred from Champions League

• Uefa wants pair to scale down losses in next four seasons

Manchester City and Chelsea face being excluded from the Champions League unless they can work the huge losses both have announced over the past seven days down to break-even levels within four seasons. Uefa is working up formal regulations that will entrench Michel Platini's plan to ensure that clubs operate without making significant long-term losses. "If a club gets a lot of money or subsidies from a big backer and is still in deficit in two years then it is a problem and we don't want that," Platini said in August.

Two days after those comments, the European Club Association (ECA) approved Platini's proposals and Uefa privately confirmed yesterday that it is adding the "financial fair play" rules to its statutes in time for the 2013-14 season. The delay in the implementation was yesterday described as an effort to provide clubs a "soft landing", but Uefa firmly envisages that clubs who fail to meet the regulations will be prevented from taking part in its competitions.

Since the biggest clubs generate interest and revenue for the Champions League, the suspension of those such as Chelsea and City would be a test of resolve. But Uefa has been emboldened by the broad ECA support, and insiders at Uefa are bullish.

"There needs to be a business model for breaking even within three and a half years," a source said. "The deadline is what it is and we will stick to it; we have tremendous support from the clubs."

Between them City and Chelsea have declared losses in the year to June 2009 of more than £130m. Chelsea's chief executive, Ron Gourlay, has abandoned a specific target date for break-even, reassessing it as an aspiration.

City playing catch-up

Profits, and so a sustainable place in the Champions League, seem a long way off for Manchester City, even though – as revealed in this column last July – Sheikh Mansour's £305m of loans have been converted into equity.

Turning Chelsea into regular title challengers has cost Roman Abramovich £500m in cumulative losses. City have not shrunk from that target, spending £117.5m on transfer fees last summer and an estimated £30m a year in wages for Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez, Kolo Touré, Roque Santa Cruz and Joleon Lescott. But, crucially, Sheikh Mansour's club start from a weaker base.

When Abramovich bought Chelsea they were already in the Champions League and had a turnover of £153.6m, £66m – or 73% – more than City have. And City's prospects for raising extra revenues from ticket sales do not look great. Their attendances have risen more than 3,000 from their season average to 46,000, but, right up until its postponement, there were about 400 seats available on general sale for the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester United: City's first last-four place since the 1981 FA Cup.

Oh Do Fuck off Platini you little cretin.......No mention of Real Madrid in your agenda eh ?

Just out of curiosity.....what sort of debt are the scousers and Manure in. I know Arsenal are in a decent state due to Wenger having superglue in his pockets.

[gary gordon 1,777]

Fuck i would love to shank that cunt in the neck!

Edited January 7, 2010 by gary gordon

[northernblue 2]

Don't worry we will think of a way pf getting round it.

I agree that the absence of Real Madrid in his complaints says it all though!

[chrismada9 1,948]

Fucking hell, what has Platini got against English clubs and England in general?? Us in particular... The stupid French cunt!!!

[Clevemayer 764]

hes just a fuckin stupid asshole

[EskWeston 696]

Lol, brilliant.... so the rule is, have as much debt as you want providing you run at a profit???

Just another way to keep the established clubs at the top. UEFA is so corrupt it is not even funny.

[oxfordblues 299]

i can see the big boys setting up there own elite league within 6 years. BTW i prefer the FA cup

[Laylabelle 9,381]

Least the FA Cup is run by people who dont seem to hate us!!

Jesus christ if we arent barred from this for this reason be a case of 'you bein with the letter C your out.We get it..Platini you hate English Clubs!! And I hope we/any English team win the CL (prob not think this should we be the loosing team) just to wipe the smug smile of his face that he had on it last year when Barcalona won

Edited January 7, 2010 by Laylabelle

[ZanSnake 1,211]

Another corrupt system, just like alot out there!

Platini is just a fat French bastard who needs to stop his little vendetta with the English Football. I guess he hates the fact that the English football is better then the french, who resort to playing 'Handball' when things get hard!

[Rambo 1,729]

When we win this tournament, nothing will matter.

[Joe Cool 388]

Doesn't mention clubs like Real Madrid, eh... just typical. Great player, but he's a right cunt... same with Blatter.

They both seem to have an obsession with English Clubs, but really, they can fuck off.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Well when he introduces his little rule, the likes of Real Madrid, United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Sevilla, Fenerbahce, AC Milan and Fiorentina won't be able to enter the competition. I don't think le petit conne has thought this one through.

[EskWeston 696]

Well when he introduces his little rule, the likes of Real Madrid, United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Sevilla, Fenerbahce, AC Milan and Fiorentina won't be able to enter the competition. I don't think le petit conne has thought this one through.

Clubs like Madrid, Arsenal and United will be fine, because this is all based on profit and not debt. Madrid, Arsenal and United have massive debts but still run at a profit. Whereas we have no debt but do not yet run a profit.

Thats why he wants to bring this rule in because it protects the established clubs and effectively stops anyone ever breaking into the elite in European competition.

Edited January 9, 2010 by EskWeston

[zolayes 14,489]

whatever rule the french idiot introduces ,,,Roman will find a way to get round it ,,,

our owner has made billions through being ruthless and CLEVER ......

[Steve 10,227]

Fuck off platini u fat french fuck

[Bandicoot 3]

Pratini is such an irritating little wanker

[Blueboy 14]

God he's so :censored:. Can't wait untill WE lift that goddamn trophy

[Kez 2,727]

what a twat