The Dutch FA are investigating Chelsea over the ownership and influence of Vitesse Arnhem after their former owner stated that Chelsea has 'discouraged Vitesse from winning the Eredivise to avoid qualifying for the Champions League'. UEFA rules state that two clubs under the same ownership can't compete in the Champions League. Current owner Chigrinski is a close associate of Abramovich. If this is true, then it's as bad as match fixing in my opinion and Chelsea should be banned from competing in the Champions League for 5 years.
The problem is proving it. Everybody is aware they are financed at the expense of the Russian people. If they can keep Putin in power then this is a no brainy .
the main problem is that the clubs are listed as being owned by different people. Even if its a close associate of Abramovic, they're not the same person. and proving that chelsea "discouraged" vitesse from winning the league will be nearly impossible to prove unless this former owner has a letter or email saying as much. more than likely nothing will come of this.
Haven't various authorities tried imposing penalties on Chelsea before ? The reality is Abro's pockets are deeper than the FA'a, prem lge's, Eufa's etc so any penalty will be legally challenged and reversed. Money does literally buy everything....
Agreed, the oligarchs have silly money and can have things there way. I also feel they are too clever to leave behind any evidence of wrong doing.
I'm not sure they're that clever, in some respects I think it's just huge arrogance that they'll buy their way out of anything. Over the last 10 years or so there have been countless incidents that have halped create the perception many people have of the club, it doesn't worry them and the owner has never once said his manager/players were out of order, the arrogance and classless behaviour starts at the top and cascades itself right through the club. I was with a good friend yesterday who is a Chelsea fan and he too has this view, maybe it's a generation thing, he has as much grey hair as me !
