Chelsea to try to seek exemptions from EPL spending rules

Chelsea are reportedly set to ask the Premier League for a special exemptions regarding spending rules.

The Blues signed 16 new players and had a net spend of about $588 million during the current campaign. This was far and away more than any other European club.

The Daily Mail is reporting that the west London team will ask England’s top flight for immunity from the rules due to the fact that they were unable to receive income for three months last year.

Abramovich sanctions crux of the club’s complaints

Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was previously sanctioned by the English government last spring. Part of these sanctions meant that Abramovich couldn’t create revenue inside the country.

These limitations came down to Abramovich’s ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin. The duo have been closely linked for decades.

Abramovich was then forced to sell Chelsea and a group led by Todd Boehly purchased the club. The changing of hands took place in May, prior to the opening of the summer transfer window.

American ownership spent big in both transfer windows

Boehly quickly went on a spending spree to help inject talent into the team. Massive moves for Wesley Fofana ($86 million), Marc Cucurella ($70 million), Raheem Sterling ($60 million), and Kalidou Koulibaly ($41 million) highlighted a summer overhaul.

Not to be outdone, the Blues then spent over $350 million on eight more players during the January window. A deal for Enzo Fernandez worth around $130 million broke a Premier League record for a player’s transfer fee.

Premier League rules state that clubs are permitted to lose £105 million (about $126 million) over a three-year period.

Chelsea recorded losses of about $184 million during their last financial period of 2021. The league has, however, allowed all clubs to bend the rule slightly due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chelsea also don’t believe that they should be held responsible for the sanctions brought down on Abramovich. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how the Premier League will react to the claims.

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