Keith Wyness: Nine Premier League clubs could now exploit Chelsea ‘loopholes’
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed nine Premier League clubs could be open to following Chelsea in exploiting “loopholes” allowing them to sell assets for one-off book profits.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed blocking the loopholes may make clubs less attractive to new investment in the future.
The Athletic revealed in June that only 11 Premier League clubs voted for a motion blocking sides from using one-off profits from sales of assets in their financial submissions – short of the two-thirds majority needed.
It is claimed Chelsea’s £76million sale of two hotels and car parks to a sister company helped them avoid breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The Blues have also recently sold a part of their Cobham training ground and the club’s women’s side in similar intra-company transactions.
Wyness reveals real reason for clubs voting down anti-Chelsea motion
Wyness claimed the nine clubs who voted against the motion may be open to following Chelsea in the future.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s a very complex thing.
“I’ve been in the boardroom when these votes are happening and you want to block these things off for a club like Chelsea.
“Alongside that, you’ll also be thinking that your own club may not be as attractive when trying to sell to a new owner – who may want to use the same methods to unlock more funds.
“There’s often a conflict.
“There will be all sorts of political conflicts – you may be discussing a player deal and not want to destabilise those negotiations, for example.
“There’s all sorts of reasons for voting politically, it’s never as clear as it seems.
“In this case, it’s particularly true.”
In other news, Blues face “huge” Raheem Sterling stumbling block.
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