‘We know they don’t allow’ – Chelsea and Aston Villa warned of UEFA threat after record fines
UEFA have made their stance clear on Chelsea and Aston Villa’s transfer business after handing both teams fines for failing their financial regulations earlier this summer.
That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who explained to Football Insider exclusively that the European governing body will scrutinise any transfer made by the Blues or the Villains.
Chelsea received a record-breaking fine of €31million (£26m), with the threat of a further €60m (£51m) fine over the next four years if the club fail to comply with UEFA’s financial regulations [BBC Sport].
Villa were handed fines of €11m (£9.5m) and a further €15m (£12.9m) warning for failing to comply with the rules.
Both clubs participated in the transfer merry-go-round that took place last summer, with Aston Villa selling Douglas Luiz and Omari Kellyman to avoid a punishment from the Premier League for their profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Chelsea themselves sold Ian Maatsen to Unai Emery‘s side, but after skirting punishment last year from their domestic governors, UEFA have sent a warning to both clubs.
UEFA make clear player swap deals must end
The Times reported on 18 July that UEFA had sent a warning to Chelsea and Villa, warning that they will scrutinise any “player swap” deals that take place this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley, a senior lecturer from Sheffield Hallam University, explained what sort of impact this would have on both clubs, and whether it could lead to an exodus of talent from the Premier League, with teams incentivised to sell abroad, as opposed to each other.
He said: “We saw what happened with those swap deals internally with those clubs, and that was more about Premier League PSR as well. It is an important factor.
“We know UEFA’s view on this; we know they don’t allow for certain things like this anyway, and they’ll be looking into these transfer values in the future.
“UEFA are drawing some fairly decent, clear lines here at the start of their new set of regulations, which is ultimately what you would want that body to do.
“It then becomes about the internal domestic position. I think in terms of a detrimental impact on the Premier League, potentially, but a lot of those players were fringe players as well.
“It’s who’s moving within that market.”
Chelsea offer swap deal for Morgan Rogers
Despite the warning from UEFA, Chelsea have offered to send two of their stars to Aston Villa in exchange for Morgan Rogers, sources have told Football Insider.
The Blues are willing to exchange Tosin Adarabioyo and Nicolas Jackson, plus cash, for the England international.
It will be interesting to see how UEFA judge this deal if it does go through, given their warning to both clubs on swap deals, although this is a transfer that does not look to be motivated by PSR or other financial regulations.