New UEFA chief blames Chelsea owner Abramovich for wrecking football

UEFA have blasted Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich for inflating the transfer and wages market.

The charge comes from Jean-Luc Dehaene, the 69-year-old former Belgium prime minister appointed by UEFA to put the brakes on spending by Europe's top clubs.

"Rich people like Roman Abramovich have turned everything upside down, both financially and from a sporting point of view," he said yesterday after taking over as chairman of UEFA's new club financial control panel.

"Our idea is that they should not invest more money in their clubs than what is spent on youth work and the stadiums. Their capital should no longer be used to drive up transfer fees and wages beyond the present level, which is abnormal.

"We will check the financial books of the top European clubs. If they aren't in order we can impose sanctions from 2013 which can include banning them from the Champions League.

"But I have no illusions. This measure will not iron out the financial and sporting differences between the big and small football-playing countries. That is not the aim.

"But some more fair play in the financial arena as well would be welcome. I say this as somebody who loves football."

 
Click here for more Chelsea news and gossip