UEFA Conference League spot seems impossible for Chelsea due to fresh FFP issues
For the first time in their history, Chelsea will compete in the Europa Conference League the following season, albeit they might have to turn down the spot due to some fresh complications in their Financial Fair Play (FFP).
The Blues, who finished sixth in the Premier League, demoted to Europe’s third division after Manchester United’s unfortunate victory against Manchester City in the FA Cup final which led to the Red Devils’ promotion to Champions League.
Chelsea will face teams such Real Betis, Besiktas, Trabzonspor, and Ordabasy in the Europa League. The opportunity exists for the west Londoners to make history by being the first side to win each of the three competitions in Europe. That is, unless they decide not to accept the invitation, which most likely seems to be the case.
Chelsea’s FFP dilemma
In order to avoid breaking UEFA’s stringent financial sustainability standards (FSR), the club may choose to withdraw. The regulations permit teams to incur losses for the 2024/25 monitoring period, which spans two years from 2022 to 2024, of up to €80 million (£68.5 million).
In contrast to the £105 million over three years in England, Chelsea is allowed to lose only £68.5 million during the preceding two years to comply with UEFA’s criteria. Chelsea has little leeway to adhere to UEFA’s regulations, in contrast to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), which permit losses of up to £105 million.
Chelsea did attempt to run away from the FFP punishment by selling two of their hotels to another company. But later they got to know that real estate profits are not a part of the ones that comes under FFP.
The Europa Conference League’s prize money pool is considerably less than that of the Champions League, therefore while participation in the league offers financial benefits, adhering to the more stringent regulations may not be worth the trouble.
Chelsea sustained a title-less season in 2023/24 and with them having to back out from the Conference League makes a doubt for their next year’s probability of getting any title. Although the owners were trying to balance their books by selling some of their home-grown players, nothing concrete have come out of it yet.
More Chelsea news
- Chelsea targeting a move for £25m Frenchman but face West Ham battle
- Chelsea hold ‘multiple meetings’ with 50-year-old manager who has managed London rivals since 2018
- Chelsea lay down £35m pay or leave ultimatum for Champions League finalist
With the chances of qualifying for Champions League at one point, they are now left with qualifying for none. It is tough time for the Blues and it will be interesting to see how they plan on a comeback from here.
