London (dpa) – Does the Champions League winner FC Chelsea have to fly to the game at OSC Lille on Wednesday with the low-cost airline?
After the British government imposed tough sanctions on Russian owner Roman Abramovich, Chelsea are under strict restrictions, including restrictions on travel expenses. Coach Tuchel still takes the matter with humor. “My last piece of information is that we have an airplane, so we can fly. If not, we’ll go by train or bus. If I have to drive a seven-seater, then I’ll do it,” said the coach.
The Blues may continue to play football for the time being. However, it is questionable whether the club from London, which has won numerous titles in the past 20 years, will continue to celebrate sporting successes in the future.
Government wants to allow sale
Everything depends on who becomes the new owner. There was at least a glimmer of hope for Chelsea fans ahead of the 1-0 working win against the nouveau riche club Newcastle United, which was secured by a late goal by Kai Havertz in the 89th minute. The government wants to allow the club to be sold and is in talks with the US bank Raine, which Chelsea had commissioned to handle the deal.
According to The Athletic magazine, the club could change hands within the next four to six weeks. How the government intends to ensure that Abramovich does not earn anything from this transaction in accordance with its conditions was initially unclear – as is currently the case with so much at Chelsea.
High performers like German international Antonio Rüdiger, whose contract ends in the summer, will be hard to keep at Stamford Bridge given the uncertainty. A dramatic situation for the Blues: They are not allowed to sign or sell players, nor negotiate new contracts. For coach Thomas Tuchel, his players and the staff of the club world champion, the following applies at the moment: wait, drink tea and hope for the best.
According to a report in the British tabloid Sunday Mirror, Chelsea professionals and other employees have already been informed that private jets and luxury hotels are now taboo. “The club jokes that they fly to the away games with Easyjet,” the paper quoted an insider as saying, “but they only say it half-jokingly.” A luxury problem – in the literal sense.
Tough requirements for the club
Chelsea are only allowed to continue playing at all thanks to a special license from the British government. The conditions include that travel expenses to an away game must not exceed £20,000 (approx. EUR 24,000). The maximum cost of hosting a home game has been raised from £500,000 to £900,000 (about €1.1m) at the club’s request. Chelsea are no longer allowed to sell match tickets and fan articles. Several advertising partners, including the shirt sponsor, suspended their commitment.
On Friday, Abramovich was officially expelled from the leadership of the football club by the Premier League. Accordingly, the 55-year-old Russian is no longer allowed to work as a director in the club. Which he wasn’t anyway. His longtime assistant Marina Granowskaja, who decides on the commitments of players and coaches – and also brought in Tuchel, has the post. However, given the developments, there is speculation that Granovskaya will not remain Chelsea director for much longer. At London’s Stamford Bridge, they face an uncertain and difficult future.