UK Government tweak Chelsea club license to allow increased matchday budget, but limits on travel remain
According to the Mirror, Chelsea have had their license to operate amended by the British Government with an increased budget for matchdays but limits on travel still remain.
Long-time owner Roman Abramovich saw his assets frozen by the UK Government after he was placed on the sanctions list. On Saturday, the Premier League announced that they had suspended the Russian as director of the club.
The London based club is now operating on a special license granted by the UK Government, that allows them to continue playing but has seen various bans placed on contract renewals, transfers, ticket sales severely limiting their revenue stream.
Shirt sponsors ‘Three’ have also suspended their £40million-per-annum deal with the Blues. Barclays have also suspended their club’s bank account and there is a possibility that they could face a lot of financial trouble between now and the end of the season.
The Londoners were initially restricted to a matchday budget of just £500k. This has now been amended to allow the club to spend close to £900k, which is not far away from the usual £1million. They have also been allowed to receive any prize money this season, but not whilst under the current ownership.
However, the amendment has not seen any changes in the restrictions on ticket sales and travel budgets.
A relief for the Blues?
The amendment in the license will come as a welcome relief for Chelsea and will give them a little bit more leeway to operate on matchdays.
With Abramovich’s reign at Stamford Bridge seemingly coming to an end, Chelsea fans can start thinking about a new era at the club. The transition period, however, is proving to be very difficult, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the club.
They will still need to continue operating on a special license until the end of the season, contesting in three different competitions and hoping to win them. For such a hectic end of season schedule, this amendment will give the Blues a little more freedom.
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Chelsea will be hoping the Government make more amendments and allow the sale of tickets, as well as contract renewals but right now they’ll have to make do with what they have. As long as the team can travel to away games and take the pitch in our famous Blue kit, we will fight for every competition under the sun and come out from this crisis a stronger, more united football establishment.