Chelsea risk being banned from the Champions League unless they agree to a UEFA demand over their multi-club ownership structure. The Blues sit fifth in the Premier League with three games remaining, two points ahead of Nottingham Forest, and are on course to qualify for next season's competition due to England's coefficient ranking.
However, Chelsea's owners, BlueCo, also hold a controlling stake in Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, who are currently sixth in France and could qualify for the Champions League if they finish fourth. UEFA rules prevent clubs under the same ownership from competing in the same European competition, and BlueCo have been in talks with the governing body since January to find a solution.
Possible remedies include placing Strasbourg into a ‘blind’ trust or reducing BlueCo’s stake in one of the clubs, similar to the approach taken by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis. Marinakis legally ceased to be a ‘person with significant control’ of Forest to avoid a conflict with his Greek club Olympiakos.
Strasbourg, managed by English boss Liam Rosenior, are unbeaten since the March international break and recently beat champions Paris Saint-Germain. If both Chelsea and Strasbourg qualify for the same competition, UEFA would also block any transfers between the two clubs.
