MORE UEFA PROBES ON CHELSEA OWNER

Last updated : 01 September 2005 By editor

From his Telegraph column:

‘Uefa's message to Mourinho's boss, the Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, is more complicated. He was present in Monaco and attended the European Super Cup final to cheer on his 'other' team, CSKA Moscow, in their defeat by Liverpool. Last season Uefa investigated whether the fact that his firm, Sibneft, sponsor the Moscow team meant he, in effect, controlled two European clubs, which is not allowed. They concluded that, under the present rules, he did not.

‘Uefa have now decided the problem is with the rules. As the rules stand, the fact that Abramovich does not own shares in the Moscow team means legally he cannot be said to exercise "a dominant position" in both Chelsea and CSKA Moscow.

‘However, Uefa now want to change the definition of "dominant position" to take into account sponsorship and other means of control besides share ownership. The legal definition will have to be carefully drafted so as not to fall foul of European Union rules on ownership, which say that only those who own shares can be said to have control.

‘But Uefa are worried that they do not know where much of the money in football has come from. Documents in Nyon chart how this money is buying not just players but clubs, too, across Europe. There are then often connections between the new owners of these clubs.

‘Uefa are keen to investigate these connections, make football more transparent and smoke out any hidden controls. A foretaste of Uefa ideas will be provided on Monday when they hold their club forum at Nyon. This brings together the top clubs in Europe.

‘The clubs will be told about Uefa's vision for the game: no super league, no abolition of promotion and relegation - as favoured by some of the top clubs - and the preservation of the present pyramid structure starting with professional clubs at the top and going right down to the grass roots.’