Chelsea could be barred from participating in next season’s UEFA Champions League unless they comply with specific regulations set by European football’s governing body.
Currently sitting fifth in the Premier League and two points ahead of Nottingham Forest with three games to go, the Blues are in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League, thanks to England securing five qualification spots via its UEFA co-efficient ranking. Chelsea haven’t featured in the elite European competition since the 2022/2023 season.
Manager Enzo Maresca has guided the team to the Europa Conference League final against Real Betis. A win there or finishing sixth in the league would earn them a Europa League spot for next season.
However, a major hurdle could block their European campaign. Chelsea’s ownership group, BlueCo, also holds a majority stake in Ligue 1 club Strasbourg. That club is currently in sixth place in France, enough for a Europa Conference League berth, and just one point behind Monaco, who occupy the final Champions League slot.
UEFA’s regulations prohibit clubs under the same ownership from competing in the same European competitions to preserve sporting integrity. BBC Sport reports that BlueCo has been in discussions with UEFA since January, seeking to adjust their ownership model to meet these compliance standards and avoid any sanctions.