UEFA to probe Russian's club ties

UEFA are to investigate possible links between Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and Russian side CSKA Moscow after both clubs were drawn in the same group of the Champions League yesterday.

European football’s governing body will look into a £30m three-year sponsorship deal with CSKA announced earlier this year by Sibneft, the Russian oil giant in which Abramovich is a majority shareholder.

UEFA communications director William Gaillard revealed: “We are going to look into it and see whether there is a controlling interest by Mr Abramovich with two teams in the same group.

“We may already have the facts to decide to dismiss it as a problem but it has to be looked into thoroughly.”

Abramovich is a close friend of CSKA president Yevgeny Giner and was a guest in his VIP box in Moscow on two occasions earlier this year.

Under current regulations, no person is allowed a controlling interest in two clubs playing in the same competition, but UEFA will have to decide whether the sponsorship deal counts as a conflict of interest.

As well as CSKA, Chelsea will also face reigning European champions Porto, the side current manager Jose Mourinho guided to the victory in the Champions League final in May, and Paris St Germain in Group H.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon dismissed any problem with the CSKA deal.

“It was always a possibility we would draw them and Porto - and the only one we are missing is Valencia [Claudio Ranieri’s new side].

“I have spoken to Jose and he regards it as a tough group with strong teams. Nothing can be taken for granted but I’m sure as always he will do his meticulous preparations and that his experience of Europe will be beneficial.

“We have a new squad and a new manager and we feel well-equipped to be embarking on this round.”

Arsenal have perhaps the easiest draw of the four English sides with PSV Eindhoven, Panathinaikos and Rosenborg in Group E.

Manchester United’s task also looks straightforward with Fenerbahce, Sparta Prague and Lyon in Group D.

In Group A there will be a tougher proposition for Liverpool to qualify against last season’s beaten finalists Monaco and Spanish semi-finalists Deportivo La Coruna.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill insists everyone at the club knew fate would ensure a quick return to Parkhead for Henrik Larsson - except him.

The Hoops’ boss was convinced they would avoid the Swedish forward’s new club Barcelona in the group stages of the competition, even though executive director Peter Lawwell predicted the fans’ favourite would be back in the east end of Glasgow sooner rather than later.

They now have another opportunity to see their idol in action when the two sides clash in Europe’s top competition after Celtic were drawn in Group F alongside Barca, AC Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk.

O’Neill said: “Some of the lads here had a feeling that we would get Barcelona and that Henrik would be coming back here.

“The chief executive said that we would get Barcelona as well and I sort of jokingly admonished him for saying that.

“But I suppose you could guess that would happen and it’s fantastically exciting - I am sure that everyone will enjoy having him back here.”

As O’Neill watched the draw unfold, he admits he was desperate to avoid Group F and the prospect of taking on two of the top sides in Europe and he believes there is no question that Celtic have the most difficult group.

“I think we would even have taken the one with Real Madrid and Roma before this one.”